Western Harnett won a 13-12 slugfest with Lee County on a two-run walk off double from junior Madison Farmer in the first round of the Tri-County Six 3-A Conference softball tournament at Triton Monday.
“Of course, I was nervous getting up on the plate and everything,” Farmer said. “But we stayed up throughout the whole game. We really played as a team tonight and I’m glad I could bring the winning run in.”
In addition to advancing the Eagles (6-13) to the second round of the conference to meet regular season champion and county rival Harnett Central at Central Tuesday, the win also breaks a tie between the Eagles and Yellow Jackets (3-12), likely netting Western a spot in the NCHSAA 3-A state playoffs.
“Huge win,” said first-year Western coach Stephen Hales. “Huge win. Not the best game for Raynee Reddington, but she battled hard through all seven and that’s pretty much all I can ask for. We hit the ball just unbelievably tonight. When we got down three or four runs, it seems like we’d score three or four or at least scratch across one so it keeps the momentum at the plate. Huge win for the program. Really huge win for our season, just to keep it going. The girls came out with a sense of urgency and I love it.”
Senior Cassidie Edwards went 5-for-5 at the plate, including a pair of doubles, with four runs scored to lead the Eagles.
Farmer had three hits, including a double and a run scored. Kasey Genthe had two hits, including a triple, and two runs scored. Destiny Rowan had two hits, including a double. Sidney Roberts and Mackinley Melby had two hits apiece. Shelby Duty had a double and three runs scored. Raynee Reddington had one hit and two runs scored. KiKi McCoy scored once.
Western, the home team on the scoreboard, trailed 12-10 heading into the bottom of the seventh. After Melby led off with a base hit, Reddington reached on a fielder’s choice and Genthe followed with a single. A base hit from Edwards scored Reddington and advanced Genthe to third. Farmer then doubled, bringing Genthe and Edwards home for the walk off win.
“You’ve got to be confident in yourself at the plate,” Farmer said. “You’re not hitting for you, you’re hitting for the whole team. It’s a team effort.”
