Geoff Cowles/News
Hill’s Foto’s Amayah Gawlik is tagged out at home by VFW pitcher Layla DeShong on Tuesday at Memorial Park. Gawlik was attempting to score on a fourth inning passed ball. Hill’s knocked off VFW, 11-6, to win the regular season Mount Vernon Girls Softball League 10U title.
Hill’s, which dropped a tournament championship to VFW on Sunday, had not beaten VFW in their last three meetings. The difference for Hill’s was, perhaps, an extra day of rest. That was a luxury that they didn’t have in their last few meetings with VFW.
After a shaky start where she gave up four early runs, Hill’s pitcher Lily Scott settled in and went the distance to get the win. Scott, who entered the game with 121 strikeouts for the season, added eight to her total in Tuesday’s game. She managed to hang on through a tough final inning.
“I was getting tired and I was getting rattled by the other team, but I know I didn’t do all the work,” Scott said. “Half of it goes to Maggie and it’s very tough on both sides.”
She was referring to Hill’s catcher Maggie Bond, who added another fifth inning run — one of two she scored in the game. She had a hit and reached twice on an error in the game.
“It was very, very stressful,” Bond said. “Everybody counting on you. Making sure you’re framing all those pitches and making sure you get that last strikeout.”
Scott also added a pair of RBIs in the fifth and final inning, when Hill’s broke through with five runs to make it 11-4. That relieved some of the stress.
Also, Hill’s defense made some key plays at the right time. Bond made a running catch of a popup for the final out of the fourth inning. She also tossed out a pair of runners trying to steal.
“I saw my girls perform harder and better,” said Hill’s Foto coach Derek Scott. “They implemented things we’ve been trying to work on all season. Basically, it is just a sign of how much they wanted it. Some of those plays, I had not seen any of them do this season. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
It was a tight ball game with several lead changes early on. VFW had a 4-3 lead after two innings. Cheyenne Ball and Sierra Friend scored for Hill’s in the top of the third inning, putting their team on top to stay, 5-4. Both girls walked twice and scored twice in the game.
Also for Hill’s, Carlie Pratt singled three times and scored twice. Teammate Jaiah Barnett singled twice and scored once. Amayah Gawlik drew a pair of walks and scored, while Hailey Watts reached on a fifth inning fielder’s choice and scored.
VFW’s Macey Costimire doubled and walked, scoring twice in the game. Teammate Imagen Winkler singled, walked and scored. Gabby Beck reached on a pair of walks and scored once. Left-handed batting Sophie Hill slapped an opposite-field single and scored for VFW, while teammate Renay Davidson walked once and scored.
“We have a special group of girls,” said VFW coach Debbie Beck. “They come together, as a team. They cheer each other on and I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls.”
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“It was very, very stressful,” Bond said. “Everybody counting on you. Making sure you’re framing all those pitches and making sure you get that last strikeout.”
Scott also added a pair of RBIs in the fifth and final inning, when Hill’s broke through with five runs to make it 11-4. That relieved some of the stress.
Also, Hill’s defense made some key plays at the right time. Bond made a running catch of a popup for the final out of the fourth inning. She also tossed out a pair of runners trying to steal.
“I saw my girls perform harder and better,” said Hill’s Foto coach Derek Scott. “They implemented things we’ve been trying to work on all season. Basically, it is just a sign of how much they wanted it. Some of those plays, I had not seen any of them do this season. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
It was a tight ball game with several lead changes early on. VFW had a 4-3 lead after two innings. Cheyenne Ball and Sierra Friend scored for Hill’s in the top of the third inning, putting their team on top to stay, 5-4. Both girls walked twice and scored twice in the game.
Also for Hill’s, Carlie Pratt singled three times and scored twice. Teammate Jaiah Barnett singled twice and scored once. Amayah Gawlik drew a pair of walks and scored, while Hailey Watts reached on a fifth inning fielder’s choice and scored.
VFW’s Macey Costimire doubled and walked, scoring twice in the game. Teammate Imagen Winkler singled, walked and scored. Gabby Beck reached on a pair of walks and scored once. Left-handed batting Sophie Hill slapped an opposite-field single and scored for VFW, while teammate Renay Davidson walked once and scored.
“We have a special group of girls,” said VFW coach Debbie Beck. “They come together, as a team. They cheer each other on and I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls.”
Geoff Cowles/News
Hill’s Foto pitcher Lily Scott, right, and catcher Maggie Bond celebrate their 11-6 victory over VFW in the Mount Vernon Girls Softball League regular-season finale Tuesday at Memorial Park.
