CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Every time Ryann “Boogs” Presswood steps onto the pitching rubber, the Walker Valley softball team’s senior ace is confident in not only herself but everyone behind her.
Presswood, a 29-game winner in 2024, is rolling again in the circle this spring with support from a trustworthy defense. The UTEP signee picked up her 22nd win of the season in Thursday’s 5-1 home victory over East Hamilton, a rematch of last year’s TSSAA Region 3-4A championship game.
Similar to the past outcome, a 2-1 win for Walker Valley, the Lady Hurricanes’ lone score came on a home run, this time by opposing ace Yulai Woodruff. The towering fly ball rolled just off the glove of freshman left fielder Vanessa Byers under the foul pole, denying her attempt to rob Woodruff.
Ultimately, though, there was no denying Presswood and Walker Valley of another win.
“I feel confident all the time out there because I have my team behind me and know we are all a family,” said Presswood, who hit her spots with precision while allowing five hits and one walk in the 81-pitch outing. “It is really easy on the brain knowing everybody behind me will give 100% for me while I am out there pitching.”
East Hamilton at Walker Valley softball on April 17, 2025
Walker Valley (24-7), ranked by MaxPreps as the No. 11 high school softball team in the state and No. 4 in Class 4A, had to take what the defense provided to get to Woodruff, whose velocity makes her one of the most overpowering prep pitchers in Tennessee.
Walker Valley senior Amy Benson showcased her speed out of the left-handed batter’s box with two perfectly placed bunts down the third-base line in the third and fifth innings to help build a 3-1 lead. Benson then drove the ball back up the middle in the sixth and soon after scored her third run of the day on a two-run double by Byers that was crushed to left-center field.
Byers continued her fantastic freshman season at the plate as she went 2-for-2 (one of those hits was a bunt single) with a walk as well as a sacrifice fly to the opposite field for the first run of the game. Byers leads the Mustangs with a .500 batting average (33-for-66).
“We are all there for each other on this team,” Benson said. “Vanessa has stepped up and worked to earn her spot in the three-spot in our lineup. She is versatile and can do anything we need. If we need her to hit, she is going to get a hold of the ball and get on base and drive us in.”
In a battle of future Conference USA pitchers, Jacksonville State signee Woodruff allowed one earned run, three hits and five walks while striking out 10 batters in a five-inning, 108-pitch outing. One of those hits allowed was a two-out, two-strike RBI single up the middle by Presswood for her team-leading 34th RBI of the season, making it 2-0 in the third inning.
East Hamilton (15-7) got two hits each from freshmen Sarah Farris and Georgiana Kapo.
“Our defense was really solid, and Boogs was hitting her spots,” Walker Valley coach Lauren Limburg said of Presswood, whose 79 career wins are more than any pitcher in program history. “We adjusted at the plate and did a really good job playing calm and focused.
“This was a great team win against a really good team. Our girls continue to play with confidence and belief in each other.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.