HOLLOW ROCK, Tenn. — McKenzie’s Lady Rebels traveled across the county to Central High School Monday, March 30, where the Lady Tigers showed them no mercy, rolling to a 17-2 victory in four innings to improve to 9-0-1 on the season and solidify first place in District 12A.
Sophomore Kyleigh Baker turned in another two-way performance that is becoming her trademark. She went 3-for-4 at the plate with five RBIs and two doubles, then took the ball in the circle and worked four innings. She allowed just three hits, two runs, one walk, and striking out four on 54 pitches.
McKenzie struck first.They pushed across two runs on a pair of Central errors before Baker settled in and slammed the door. The highlight of the Lady Rebels’ game came on a solo home run by sophomore shortstop Addyson Littleton in the top of the third.
Central answered with a vengeance. The Lady Tigers erupted for 10 runs in the third inning and added seven more in the fourth to put the game well out of reach. The big third-inning performance was fueled by a parade of doubles and timely hits up and down the lineup.
Abby Baker went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Emy Olds went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs, and two RBIs. Amelia Bennett went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs, and Madison Holder contributed a double and three runs scored. Lilly McGee drew two walks, scored twice, drove in two runs, and stole a base.
Central finished with 14 hits and benefited from four McKenzie walks and several Rebel errors. McKenzie starter Aurora Johnson allowed 10 runs on eight hits over 2.2 innings. Braylin Auvenshine came on in relief and was tagged for seven more runs in two-thirds of an inning.
The Lady Tigers have now scored 100 runs on the season while allowing just 13. Five of their nine wins have come by mercy rule, and they have not lost a game since a 3-4 defeat to Collierville in tournament play earlier this month.
The Lady Tigers are ranked first in District 12A, according to Max Preps.