Hiwassee Dam – One thing has been true for Hiwassee Dam softball so far this season: No matter the game, the offense will always show up.
The Lady Eagles had another excellent offensive display last week, besting county foe Andrews 27-4 on March 28 and Cherokee 16-10 on March 31. This is the first time Hiwassee Dam (7-0 overall, 4-0 in the Smoky Mountain Conference) has started 7-0 since 2017.
The game against the Lady Wildcats (0-5, 0-2) was a non-conference game, as the two teams will meet for their conference games this week, weather permitting. The Lady Eagles jumped on Andrews for six runs in the top of the first, and scored four runs or more in each of the first four innings to take a 26-2 lead.
Every Lady Eagle in the starting lineup recorded a hit, and senior Rylie Payne had a team-high four hits and four runs batted in. Olivia McNabb, Payton Palmer and Kiera Taylor all had three hits, while Payton McNabb and Taylor Burt had two each. Lauren Brooks gave up two runs in four innings on the mound, while Alexis Totherow closed out the game in her varsity pitching debut.
It was a closer contest against the Lady Braves (3-6, 3-2). The Lady Eagles scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning, then Cherokee answered back with five in the top of the second and three in the top of the fourth to take an 8-5 lead.
Hiwassee Dam had five in the bottom of the fourth to take a 10-8 lead, only for Cherokee to answer back with two in the fifth to tie the game. The Lady Eagles scored three in both the bottom of the fifth and sixth to stay undefeated this season.
Payton McNabb led the way by going 4-for-4 and driving in four runs, while Olivia McNabb also had four hits.
Weather permitting, Hiwassee Dam traveled to Andrews on Tuesday, which took place after this week’s edition of the Cherokee Scout went to press. They’ll host the Lady Wildcats on Friday.