Morgan Montieth's four RBIs power East Ridge's win over Signal Mountain

Before stepping to the plate in Tuesday's softball home opener, East Ridge junior second baseman Morgan Montieth carried the weight of self-doubt on a right shoulder that had been surgically repaired last July. The months of painful rehab only added to the questions Montieth had concerning her ability to effectively swing the bat again in a game.

By the end of a 13-run Lady Pioneers first inning that overwhelmed Signal Mountain, Montieth had conquered a great many of her fears. She went 2-for-2 in the opening inning with a pair of doubles and four RBIs.

East Ridge head coach Sandy Mauser instructs Michaela Johnson (24) at 3rd base. The Signal Mountain Lady Eagles softball team visited the East Ridge Lady Pioneers March 17 in TSSAA action at East Ridge

While the Lady Pioneers made quick work of the Lady Eagles in an 18-2, three-inning victory, Montieth regained her confidence after enduring surgery for a torn labrum.

"In coming back from my shoulder injury, I've had a tough time with hitting," she said. "For me, it was a big boost for my confidence to be able to hit like that again."

"She is the type of kid who is going to give it all she's got for the team, and it was good to see," said East Ridge coach Sandy Mauser. "I'm proud of our team and the way that they came out with effort and enthusiasm. I told them to wait on their pitch and use good plate discipline. They waited on their pitches and good things happened."

East Ridge (1-1) sent 17 batters to the plate in the first inning with Montieth's second double serving as the big blow. Hannah Eldridge, with a double, a triple and a single, was another standout in the 11-hit attack for East Ridge.

Playing in their season opener, the Lady Eagles stopped the shutout bid in the top of the third behind RBI hits from Ashley Bell and Arianna Crawford.

"It's a hard way to learn, but we did a good job of continuing to play," Signal Mountain coach Barry Loyal said of his young team. "We have to keep working at it and try to get better each time out there. It's a work in progress. We'll get back to it tomorrow on the practice field. They'll show up with a good attitude and we'll get better."

Contact Greg Thompson at sports@timesfreepress.com.