Lady Lions avenge two previous losses
April 14, 2010

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE -- Greenville’s Lady Lions avenged two previous losses this season to Newman Smith by downing the Lady Trojans 4-2 in District 10-4A softball on Tuesday night at Monty Stratton Field.

The Lady Lions jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the second inning and then held on to keep their playoff hopes alive with a 4-7 district record. They improved to 12-9-1 for the season.

“That was the best we’ve played all year,” said Lady Lions coach Glenn Banker. “We played with confidence. We played with determination. We still have a shot (at the playoffs).”

Sophomore left-hander Rachael Cook fired a four-hitter for the Lady Lions and got their three-run flurry started in the first. Cook walked two and struck out six, including the final batter.

“I was real pleased with Rachael,” said Banker. “Real pleased with the defense. Sidney’s bat is alive.”

Freshman shortstop Sidney Tippit went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and a run batted in.

Cook was 1-for-3, also with a double and scored a run.

Vanessa Rico also went 1-for-3 at the plate for the Lady Lions, scoring two runs.

Third baseman Leanah made a key stop on a line shot early in the game and also scored a run and drove in a run.

First baseman Katie Threndyle also went 1-for-3 with a triple.

Newman Smith catcher Alyssa Cousins, who reportedly has orally committed to Iowa, slugged a towering home run over the left field. Cousins wound up 2-for-3 to lead the visiting Lady Trojans.

Greenville will honor its seniors in its next home game, scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Monty Stratton.

District softball

Newman Smith 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 --2

Greenville 3 1 0 0 0 0 x --4

WP: Rachael Cook, 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 ERs, 2 BBs, 6 Ks.

LP: Lisa Chavera, 5 hits, 4 runs, 0 BBs, 8 Ks.

Leading hitters

NS: Lisa Chavera 1-3, Alyssa Cousins 2-3, HR; Kyleigh Rahm 1-3, 2B.

G: Rachael Cook 1-3, 2B, 1 run; Vanessa Rico 1-3, 2 runs; Sidney Tippit 2-3, 2B, 1 RBI; Leanah Halverson 0-3, 1 run, 1 RBI; Katie Threndyle 1-3, 3B.

Records: G 12-9-1, 4-7.

Next game: R.L. Turner at Greenville, 7 p.m. Friday.