WHITE HOUSE The White House High softball program held senior-night activities prior to Wednesday evening’s 6-0 win over visiting Pope John Paul II High at Chuck Davis Field.
“It’s crazy that this is my last year,” Lady Devil rightfielder Kaite Williams – one of the team’s four seniors – said. “Everybody is like, ‘it’s going to go by so fast,’ and you’re like, ‘whatever.’
“I’m going to miss it.”
White House High senior Kaite Williams attempts to lay down a second-inning bunt. Williams scored a run during the four-run second inning.
Williams scored during the four-run second inning, and White House senior pitcher Madisen Adkins (11-5-1) took care of the rest, tossing a two-hitter.
“Right now, I’m going with Adkins and (junior Stephanie) Palmer for pitching,” Lady Devil head coach Cindy Towers – whose squad improved to 17-14 – said. “They pitched really well in Columbia (in a tournament last weekend). Adkins pitched one of the best ballgames she’s pitched against Sycamore (a 10-0 win on Monday), and Palmer is doing better about commanding her location and making her movement pitches work.”
Palmer drove in sophomore Erica Moore with a first-inning sacrifice fly, and junior Katy Gut and freshman Sydney Frakes doubled in the second frame, which was aided by a pair of errors.
Adkins tripled in the fourth inning and scored on freshman Copelynne Whitaker’s sacrifice fly.
White House High freshman Copelynne Whitaker throws to first base for a fourth-inning putout. Whitaker drew a base on balls and drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Seniors Olivia Nivison and Alley McDonald singled for the Lady Knights (13-12-1).
Pope John Paul II High junior shortstop Alexis Williams throws to first base for a third-inning putout.
“We left seven runners on base,” PJP II head coach Jody Brothers said. “We couldn’t get the timely hit. A lot of that had to do with their defense. The shortstop (Gut) made a couple of good plays, and the third baseman (sophomore Paige Vincent) made a really good play.
“We just didn’t get the result we wanted, but they did a good job of playing good defense. They played well and pitched well.”
Pope John Paul II High senior Savannah Brown throws to senior second baseman Amanda Kuban at first base for a first-inning putout.
Two of the Lady Knights’ senior standouts – McDonald (the team’s primary pitcher) and catcher Savannah Lewis – are currently slowed by injuries. McDonald isn’t currently pitching due to a back injury, though she did play rightfield on Wednesday. Lewis recently returned from a shoulder injury that sidelined her for multiple weeks and now serves as the designated hitter, but she has yet to return to action behind the plate.
The time frame for their return to their primary positions is unknown.
Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.
PJP II 000 000 0 – 0 2 2
White House 140 100 x – 6 6 1
Sierra Combs and Hannah Peach; Madisen Adkins and Savannah Fuston. WP – Adkins (11-5-1). LP – Peach (1-2). Records: PJP II 13-12-1, White House 17-14.