Gallatin High freshman pitcher Sidney Link delivers a third-inning pitch against Westmoreland. Link collected nine strikeouts in Friday’s 11-1 victory.
GALLATIN Gallatin High’s softball team seems to be finding some positive momentum these days.
The Lady Wave finished the week with two wins and two losses after an 11-1, five-inning victory over visiting Westmoreland on Friday evening at Triple Creek Park.
Gallatin’s other victory this week was a 4-2 triumph over visiting Mt. Juliet on Tuesday, the Lady Wave’s first victory over a District 9-AAA opponent since defeating visiting Portland last season (a 9-8 victory on Mar. 26).
Gallatin High sophomore Haley Barnes runs down the first-base line as Westmoreland junior first baseman Kiersten Powell receieves a throw during first-inning action.
“We think that (Mt. Juliet is) a big team and people would say that we have no chance (to win),” Link said. “It’s a big confidence boost.”
The Lady Wave (6-9) scored six second-inning runs on Friday, all with two outs. Gallatin added five more in the third.
Sophomore Michaela Thompson and junior Ashlee Banks each had two singles and drove in three runs.
Westmoreland High junior shortstop Savannah Whiticker throws to first base during second-inning action.
Westmoreland (5-12) has lost seven consecutive games since returning from Gulf Shores, Ala., over spring break.
“The bats aren’t going like they were in the beginning,” Westmoreland head coach Kyla White said. “We’re making some defensive errors that we shouldn’t be making – just routine plays.”
Lady Eagle catcher Addie Morris singled in sophomore Kendall Goodrum for the lone Westmoreland run in the top of the third inning.
Link struck out nine Lady Eagle batters in earning the complete-game victory, in which Gallatin avenged a 13-6 loss at Westmoreland on March 23.
“She did a really good job placing the ball, hitting her spots, changing speeds,” Gallatin head coach Randall Silcox said. “The girls behind her did a really good job. It’s been a good week.”
Reach Chris Brooks at cbrooks@tennessean.com or at 615-575-7118. Follow him on Twitter @CB_SumnerSports.
Westmoreland 001 00 – 1 3 2
Gallatin 065 0x – 11 13 0
Tiffany Wheeley, Kendrall Goodrum (2) and Addie Morris; Sidney Link and Haley Barnes. WP – Link. LP – Wheeley. Records: Westmoreland 5-12, Gallatin 6-9.
“I feel like I’ve got to get determined and go back in there, three up, three down,” Link said, “so we come back in and get six more runs.”