Lionette softball starts strong



By TONY STINNETT/Courier Sports Editor

Cannon County's softball team started its 2013 season on a strong note under first-year Head Coach Gaylon Sissom.

The Lionettes (2-0, 1-0) turned back Murfreesboro Central Magnet, 10-4, in the District 8-AA opener for both teams Thursday, and they disposed of Monterey, 11-1, Friday (March 15) to complete an impressive opening week.

Kristen Hale started where she left off as a freshman for the Lionettes, dominating Central Magnet on the mound and coming up with clutch hits. Hale struck out nine Lady Tigers and successfully kept them off balance throughout the game.

Cleanup hitter Brianna Nichols supplied the offense. Nichols belted two doubles and collected three RBIs.

"I thought we played well overall especially with it being the first game," Sissom said. "Kristen did a good job on the mound and we were able to get some clutch hits to get some runs on the board. It was a good way to start the season."

The Lionettes kept the momentum going against Monterey Friday as they came up with a convincing 11-1 win at CCHS. Macy Williams and Cheyenne Fann combined for six of the team's 13 hits. Fann delivered three hits and three RBI and Williams finished with three hits and also drove in a run.

Monterey had no answer for pitcher Jessica Elmy. The sophomore scattered two hits, stuck out five and allowed one run to notch the victory.

Cannon County scored four in the first. Hale delivered a RBI triple, Kelli Davis came up with a RBI single and Fann delivered a two-run single to stake the Lionettes to a 4-0 lead.