City softball rivalry goes to Scots

By Richard Torres

May 02, 2008 12:02 am

— ANDERSON — There was no way Highland’s Krista Davis was going to miss Thursday afternoon’s grudge match with city rival Anderson.
“I begged the trainer to let me play,” said the senior first baseman, who had been sidelined the past week with a sprained elbow. “I really wanted to play.”
Though limited to designated person duties, Davis made good on her coach’s and trainer’s willingness.
Davis finished a flawless 2-for-2 at the plate and belted a home run in the bottom of the fifth as Highland completed the regular-season sweep, defeating Anderson, 9-4.
The Scots (13-4) logged a combined nine hits against the Lady Tribe (7-8), scoring seven runs in the first two innings.
Highland sophomore starter Katie Lee tossed a complete game, striking out 10, walking none and retiring nine consecutive at one point for her sixth win this season.
“We wanted this one real bad,” Highland coach Doug Holder said. “We were ready to play, and we have everybody starting to get healthy again.”
The most notable was Davis, who hit fifth in the order, driving in two runs. Her first RBI came off a single during a four-run second, and her solo bomb to left field marked her first on the year.
“I’m just hitting right now,” said Davis, who hasn’t played the field since facing Frankton more than a week ago. “I’m definitely a hitter. I go out there, and I think about hitting all the time. After sitting five games, I really wanted to hit.”
Her teammates were of the same mind, sending 16 hitters to the plate through two innings, chasing Anderson freshman starter Kendra Walters after one inning.
The Scots’ one through six hitters combined to go 9-for-17 with eight RBIs.
Lee went 2-for-3 with an RBI triple in the second, and Lauren Williamson drove in two runners with a two-out double in the first inning.
Kayla Byrne had two RBIs and Jarah Ice went 2-for-4 as Highland loaded the bases on three occasions.
Wednesday, Highland blanked Class 2A Hagerstown 12-0 in five innings, grabbing a 5-0 lead early on the road.
At home against Anderson, the Scots jumped ahead 7-0 before the Indians rallied for four runs the final two frames.
“We don’t have the killer instinct yet, but it’s getting there,” Holder said. “It’s hard to keep your focus and concentration when you jump out 7-0. And credit Anderson, they battled back.”
Erica Couch’s two-run home run in the top of the sixth cut the lead to 8-3, and Morgan Jarvis’ RBI double in the seventh with two outs made it 9-4.
Jordan Harrington went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a double for the Indians.
“We still battled. We didn’t give up,” Anderson coach Dick Hines said.
And the Indians might get another shot at their city rivals with the Class 4A Pendleton Heights Sectional draw scheduled this Thursday.
“When you’re in a crosstown rivalry, that’s the marbles (winning),” Holder said. “We’ve done it twice this year, and hopefully, the third time jinx doesn’t get us, if we have to play them a third time in the sectional.”

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