North Lenoir tops Spring Creek

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 30, 2009 1:47 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- North Lenoir started fast and never slowed down in a 14-1, non-conference softball victory over Spring Creek on Wednesday afternoon.

The Hawks plated five first-inning runs.

Cayla Letchworth led off with a single and advanced into scoring position on Mindi Stallings' single. Kristen Davenport was hit by a pitch and Amber Best followed with a base hit. Courtney Hill delivered an RBI single and Hill eventually capped the outburst by scoring on a wild pitch.

"We still have a lot of things to work on, but we did a pretty good job at the plate tonight," said Hawks head coach Heather Carson. "It was important for our girls to stay focused and play a good game in the field once we got the lead."

Spring Creek tallied its lone run during its first at-bat. Lead-off Brittany Collier drove a ball to deep center field that turned into an inside-the-park home run.

North Lenoir starting pitcher Aaryn Deal settled down and retired the next three batters in order. The hard-throwing hurler allowed just two more hits over the course of the next four innings.

"Aaryn really did a good job of hitting her spots," said Carson. "When she is doing that, it really helps our team establish the tempo and control the game."

The Hawks padded their seven-run cushion in the third inning.

Brea Langley drew a lead-off walk and advanced on Letchworth's single. Stallings reached on an error that plated Langley. Kendal Letchworth then reached on the Gators' second error of the inning and Cayla Letchworth scored to make the score 10-1.

"One thing I can't deal with as a coach is not competing," said second-year Spring Creek head coach Brandon Proctor. "When you walk out between the chalk lines you have to be ready to play, and tonight we were not ready to play."

North Lenoir induced the mercy rule in the fifth inning.

Stallings was hit by a pitch, Kendal Letchworth reached on an error and Davenport was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Best drew a bases-loaded walk and Hill drove in a run by hitting into a fielder's choice. Brittany Berra capped the inning with an RBI single.

The Hawks improved to 12-6 overall heading into Friday's league contest against North Pitt.

 "Friday is a big game for us," said Carson. "If we win, we take over second place by ourselves, but if we lose we fall into a tie for third."

 Spring Creek (1-9) visits county foe Rosewood on Friday.