Once the Lady Cyclone got rolling Wednesday, they were hard to stop as Elizabethton topped Sullivan North, 12-1 in league play.
After a slow start, the Lady Cyclone picked up momentum about midway through the contest as they tallied ten hits on the day.
“It takes a little while,” said Elizabethton head coach Ken Hardin. “You go from facing Unicoi who throws it hard. North is better. They had a good pitcher out there tonight. She moved the ball around well on us and changed speeds, and we didn’t adjust until about the third or fourth inning. We started putting some base runners on, and good things started happening for us.”
After posting two runs in the second inning, the Lady Cyclone really got rolling in the third as they posted six runs to jump out 8-0.
The inning was highlighted by hits from Abbi McKinney, Autumn Hensley, Allison Riddle and Haley Fair. Riddle had a 2-RBI single to help the Lady Cyclones’ cause in the third.
Elizabethton posted four runs in the fifth inning to move on to 12-1 after the Lady Raiders picked up a run in the fourth. McKinney had the biggest hit of fifth as she ripped a 2-RBI double to keep her team moving.
On the mound, the Lady Cyclones got four innings out of starting pitcher Kellie Cunningham, who only allowed two hits and one run while striking out three batters. Cunningham was awarded the win.
“Kellie is throwing really good right now,” said Hardin. “She got that save against Unicoi last night, and it was her turn to pitch. I have two really good ones this year. I am trying to get them both plenty of work.
“When she is bouncing around there like that, you know she is enjoying herself,” Hardin added. “She threw really well tonight.”
EHS relief pitcher Regan Armstrong finished things out Wednesday as she recorded two strikeouts and had just one hit against her.
The Lady Cyclones had some big defensive plays Wednesday. In the third, first baseman Riddle made a diving catch before tagging first to out a Sullivan North runner for the double play.
At the plate, EHS’ Jessica Cunningham and Hensley both went 2-of-2 with a RBI each. Fair finished the day 2-of-3, while McKinney was 2-of-4 with three RBIs.
The Lady Cyclone will get back at it today with a trip over to Gate City.