Lady Royals edge East Carter to capture third in OFC tournament

The Twin Rivers Lady Royals fought tooth and nail against the East Carter Lady Redbirds to secure third place in this year’s OFC softball tournament.

The Lady Royals jumped out front early, and though the game got close, they managed to ease past the Lady Redbirds 6-5 on Wednesday at Three Rivers College.

Twin Rivers opened the scoring in the first after Katie Acre grounded out, scoring one run.

They added one run in the second after Addysen Whitlow hit into the outfield. The Lady Redbirds wouldn’t stay down for long as they began to rally in the third inning.

Anna Crowley homered to center field, which helped the Lady Redbirds tie the game at two in the top of the third. In the bottom of the fourth, Twin Rivers broke up the tie when Reese Crismon tripled, scoring one run. Then a single by Anne Mittelstadt followed to extend the lead to 4-2.

The Lady Redbirds would even up the score once again as Kadence Newton homered to center field in the top of the sixth. An inside-the-park home run by Alexis Parson gave Twin Rivers the lead in the bottom of the sixth. With the backs against the wall and holding a 6-5 lead in the top of the seventh, the Lady Royals held strong to secure the win.

Parson opened the game for Twin Rivers at the mound. She allowed seven hits and five runs over seven innings, striking out 10 and walking four. Calleigh Miller stepped in the circle first for the Lady Redbirds. She gave up nine hits and six runs (four earned) over six innings, striking out four and walking five.

Parson drove the middle of the lineup, leading Twin Rivers with two runs batted in. She went 1-for-4 on the day. Crismon set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading Twin Rivers with three hits in four at-bats.

Janica Holloway and Miller each collected two hits for East Carter, while Newton and Crowley each drove in two runs.