Cherokee – Cherokee built a 6-2 lead and held it for most of the game Tuesday. But the Lady Devils scored 3 in the sixth inning and then added a lone run in the seventh to tie the game and force extra inning. In the top of the eighth Swain scored 3 more runs to take a thrilling 9-6 win.
In the top of the sixth, trailing 6-2, the Lady Devils got off the deck and got themselves back into the game. With one out Stacey Griggs singled to left. Kiertson Smith came on as a courtesy runner for Griggs. Savana Smith followed with a triple to right field scoring her sister from first. Hannah Shuler worked a 9 pitch walk to give Swain runners on first and third. Kele Eagleman grounded out to second to score Smith from third and advance Shuler to second. Ashley Stevenson singled to left to score Shuler from second, bringing the Lady Devils to within one at 6-5 to close the sixth.
The Lady Devils found themselves on the brink in the seventh. Kay Johnson opened the inning by doubling to right center. But a fly out and ground out put the Lady Devils one out away from a loss. Stacey Griggs quickly found herself in a two strike count, after fouling off a potential third strike Griggs lined a double into right center that would score Johnson with the tying run.
Swain would retire the side in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.
Hannah Shuler singled to open the extra frame for the Devils. Kele Eagleman followed with a single of her own. Ashley Stevenson singled to score Shuler and give the Lady Devils their first lead since the second inning. Later in the frame with two outs, Maddie Spates roped a double down the left field line that would score Stevenson and Kay Johnson, who had reached on a fielders choice. The Spates double gave Swain a 9-6 lead to close their half of the eighth.
Facing the Braves four, five and six hitters the Lady Devils retired the side in order to take the win.
Griggs picked up the win in the circle, working all 8 innings. She struck out 13 and walked only one while scattering 8 hits and giving up 2 earned runs. The Lady Devils played solid defense in support of Griggs. From the fifth inning on Griggs did not yield a hit.
On offense the Lady Devils had 15 hits. Griggs and Ashley Stevenson led the way as each went 3-4, Stevenson knocked in 3 runs, while Griggs had 1 run batted in. Kele Eagleman and Kay Johnson had a pair of hits each, while Eagleman drove in 2 runs and Johnson scored 2 runs.