Editor’s note: Story updated to include details of JV win over Edgewood Academy on Monday, Feb. 17.

 

The old adage tells us that the first win is always the hardest to get.

Allie Park, Pike Liberal Arts newest head softball coach, hopes the old saying holds true.

Park’s Varsity Lady Patriots scored their first of the season Monday night with a 10-4 win over Emmanuel Christian at Mendy Avant Field in Troy.

The win comes one day after the junior varsity Lady Patriots scored their first win – and Parks’ first official win as a coach – with a 7-3 defeat of Edgewood Academy.

In the JV win on Monday, Bailey Rushing was 2-2 with a double and a triple. Mya Terry was able to score on a sac bunt with Edgewood JV errors. Katelyn Dendy was also able to lay down a sacrifice bunt and get on base successfully. Sabra Daniels, Kayla Dendy, and Elaina Strother all were able to score one run to help the Lady Patriots win against Edgewood. Bailey Rushing earned the win over Edgewood 7-3 with 10 strikeouts, gave up 2 hits, one walk, and only one earned run.

On Tuesday, the varsity Lady Pats scratched out five runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a lead they would never relinquish.

Kayla Dendy led off the Pike half of the first with an infield single, and later scored on a base hit to center off the bat of Amberlynn Baker.

Kailee Taylor, Baker, Kayla Benton and Benton would all come round to score in the first.

Mary Margaret Starling walked to lead off the second, and later scored on a passed ball.

Taylor, who reached on a walk in the second, scored on sacrifice fly to center by Benton.

The Lady Pats pushed across three more insurance runs in the fourth inning to seal the win

While Park was happy with the varsity win, she said the team can play better.

“I’m sort of a perfectionist,” said Park. “The girls played well, but not up to the expectations I have for them. They have high expectations of themselves as well. We made some of the same mistakes we made yesterday, like not getting runners in from scoring position. We have some small things to work on, and we are going to do that tomorrow.”

Park said one of the biggest things the team will work on over the next few days is energy, and keeping energy up for the entire game.

“There were a couple of times that we got down out there tonight, and weren’t talking like I would like,” said Park. “We had energy in the first inning, and then in the third and so on. We need to have it for the entire game, and stay up all the time.”

Pike will play host to Lee-Scott on Saturday at 1 P.m. at Avant Field.

Park feels the team will be ready for the stiff competition.

“We are going to work on some pressure situations the next couple of days,” said Park. “We are going to work on things that we are not doing well, and get those fixed up for Saturday.”