East Hamilton’s Shaliyah Geathers steals second in the sixth inning against Meigs County shortstop Madison Hampton
East Hamilton’s Maria Walshe pitches in the bottom of the sixth inning against Meigs County.East Hamilton wasted little time in retaking the lead after Meigs County tied the score in the top of the sixth inning in Wednesday’s Region 3-AA high school softball final at East Hamilton.
The Lady Hurricanes came in and got a bunt single and a stolen base from speedy leadoff batter Shaliyah Geathers, then No. 2-batter Tori Barnes followed with a run-scoring double. Just like that they were back in front and on their way to a 3-1 victory.
East Hamilton (20-13-2) is scheduled to host Bledsoe County in a state sectional Friday at 11 a.m. Meigs County (22-11) will play Friday at Upperman, which beat Bledsoe 1-0 in Wednesday’s Region 4 final, at 6 p.m. EDT.
Before the start of the sixth the Lady Hurricanes were leading 1-0. East Hamilton coach Cara Stiles said she looked at assistant coach Hollie Pritchett and said she liked the situation they were in with the bottom third of Meigs’ order coming up while the top of the Lady ‘Canes’ order was due up in the bottom half.
But the Nos. 8- and 9-batters for the Lady Tigers are who tied the game. Allison Hyde’s single was misplayed in the outfield and she ended up on third. Bailee Nunley then singled her in.