Moments after a disappointing loss to Muskogee's junior varsity squad in the first game of the day, Sallisaw had a big first inning and went on to run-rule Class 5A third-ranked Heavener 8-0.
"That's one thing I like about this bunch- the game before doesn't affect what they do in the next game," said Lady Diamond head coach Scott Farmer. "I can't explain it, but it's a good thing."
It wasn't such a good thing for Heavener, though, as the Lady Wolves found themselves trailing 6-0 after the first inning.
Heather McCawley and Kortni Sanders led off with singles and Lyndsey Daggs drew a walk to load the bases for clean-up hitter Ashley Covington. The junior left fielder drove all three runners in with a triple to left field and then scored when Erica Robertson followed her with another triple. Candace McNamee hit an RBI single and Erin Turner ripped an RBI triple to complete the first inning scoring for the Lady Diamonds.
McNamee capped a big day at the plate with a two-run single in the bottom of the fourth to make it 8-0. The sophomore catcher batted 2-for-2 with three RBIs against Heavener.
Sallisaw pounded out nine hits, including two more by McCawley. Sanders, Daggs, Robertson and Turner all had one hit each for the Lady Diamonds.
Sallisaw played good defense, making no errors and retiring 15 of the 18 batters Heavener sent to the plate. Hannah Friedl batted 1-for-2 with a double for the Lady Wolves.
Both teams were tuning up for regional playoff action later in the week. Heavener, which beat Vian and Spiro to win its district tournament last week, will compete in the 5A regionals while Sallisaw is getting ready for the Class 6A regionals.
The Lady Diamonds will begin play at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Fort Gibson against Idabel. The fourth team assigned to the regional, Poteau, is no longer fielding a team.
No. 10-ranked Sallisaw improved to 17-14 with the win over Heavener and Farmer said the Lady Diamonds were looking forward to the playoffs.
"We're pretty confident. The last two weeks, the girls have played pretty well and I think we're starting to peak at the right time," he said.
MUSKOGEE 8, SALLISAW 4
Several injuries to varsity players forced Muskogee to bring its JV squad to Monday's game, but the Rougherettes used an eight-run third inning to get the victory.
Muskogee used three two-run doubles in the inning to take an 8-1 lead.
Lyndsey Daggs and Ashley Covington both hit 2-for-3 with an RBI for Sallisaw, while Kortni Sanders had a pair of hits and Erica Robertson drove in one run.
Candace McNamee added a triple and scored on a throwing error, making it 8-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Amy Smith, Jessika Duvall and Mayra Salazar all had one hit apiece for the Lady Diamonds.
