by Amy Davis

COURTLAND
The Lady Indians defeated a tough Smithfield team in last Wednesday’s opening game, 7-6. The Indians got out to a quick lead scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, but the Lady Packers answered driving in five runs in the bottom of the inning.

The Indians picked up one in the top of the third narrowing the Packers’ lead to 5-3. The Packers scored their final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. The Indians would not go away. They had two runners on with one out when the catcher attempted to pick sophomore Mady Wood off first base advancing senior Bryona Knight to third.

With runners on the corners, Wood stole second and Knight, anticipating a trick play, went for the score anyway. The second baseman cut off the throw-down, but Knight was under the tag. This shifted the momentum to the Indians’ favor. In a long at bat, junior Hilary Newlon drew a walk putting runners on first and second with senior Savannah Nipper up to the plate. Nipper, who had been quiet all day at the plate, pulled out a clutch double driving in the two runs, and then an error in the outfield for the Packers enabled Nipper to score with the go-ahead run.

Standouts for the day included sophomore Madyson Wood, who was the winning pitcher in strikeouts and went 2-3 at the plate; senior Skyler Bagnall went 2-4; senior Savannah Nipper went 1-3 and drove in 3 RBIs to put the Indians ahead.

The Indians traveled to NSA on Thursday, and opened up at home against Greensville on Tuesday.