Soddy-Daisy sharp in first district victory

Soddy-Daisy pitcher Emily Edwards prepares to throw to East Hamilton batter Savannah Daniel as Soddy-Daisy hosts East Hamilton High School in a girls' softball game Monday, Mar. 23, 2015, in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.
Soddy-Daisy pitcher Emily Edwards prepares to throw to East Hamilton batter Savannah Daniel as Soddy-Daisy hosts East Hamilton High School in a girls' softball game Monday, Mar. 23, 2015, in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.

Soddy-Daisy senior Abby Walker spent moments of Monday's softball game using her sleeve as a tissue due to allergies. It's that time of year for outdoor athletes.

For much of the game, though, the second baseman used her glove to help keep the Lady Trojans ahead of East Hamilton in Soddy-Daisy's 4-2 District 5-AAA victory over the Lady Hurricanes.

"Once you're in the game, you're in the zone," Walker said. "And then you're thinking, 'Get that yellow thing.'"

Walker had four assists and covered first base on two East Hamilton sacrifices as well. In the fifth inning she fielded back-to-back hot shots in her direction to complete a 1-2-3 inning for pitcher Emily Edwards.

"Our defense did a great job," said Soddy-Daisy coach Wes Skiles, whose squad made just one error -- an off throw from the outfield that didn't factor into any scoring. "Everybody was ready on every play, and that doesn't always happen."

photo Soddy-Daisy shortstop Jessica Boles steps off the bag after forcing Samantha Murray of East Hamilton out at second base as Soddy-Daisy hosts East Hamilton High School in a girls' softball game Monday, Mar. 23, 2015, in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.

The Lady Trojans (4-1) and Lady Hurricanes have been like most programs in the area. They've been stuck inside so far this season with each team having about 10 days on the dirt since Feb. 9 due to inclement weather.

The two teams aren't quite in midseason form, but they're getting close as the calendar approaches a flip to April.

"The season is a process," Skiles said. "We certainly want to keep improving."

East Hamilton committed two errors but also had some impressive defensive plays, including a couple from East Hamilton shortstop Miracle Gorman and third baseman Maggie Woods.

"Our defense was pretty good," Lady Hurricanes coach Norma Nelson said after her first district game of the year. "We've got to do a better job of fielding the bunt. I think part of that is from not being on the dirt very much."

Edwards, a senior, earned the victory and had three strikeouts and two walks.

"Emily knows her job is to let her teammates play defense," Skiles said. "She's to make a pitch. From there, she can't control anything but our defense can."

The Lady Trojans' offensive power came from sophomore catcher Cam Swafford. In the bottom of the first inning, she swatted a pitch down the right-field line. Brooke Hale and Alexis Trimier scored before Swafford slid into third with her second triple in as many games.

Walker scored in the bottom of the second inning on a fielder's choice for a 3-0 lead. East Hamilton cut the lead to 3-2 on a two-run single by Brie Levy in the top of the third inning.

"It's always good to jump on the other team early," Swafford said. "It puts pressure on their hitters and pressure on their defense to make the plays."

Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.

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