B

Morristown East sophomore Ella Wampler only had one chance to swing the bat Tuesday night at King Park but it was enough to supply all the runs the Lady Hurricanes needed for a 2-1 triumph over Powell.

Wampler blasted a long home run after freshman Jaycee Hamilton singled in the bottom of the first and that was all pitcher Kylie Rader needed to get East a victory.

Rader tossed a three hitter, didn’t walk a batter and struck out eight in notching the mound verdict over Kayleigh Smith as East improved to 11-13 for the season.

It was Wampler’s 10th home run of the season and third in the past two games. She was intentionally walker in her other two chances at the plate.

Smith also allowed just three hits as Hamilton’s third-inning double was the only other East safety.

East coach Sydney Davis commented, “It was a good victory for us. We didn’t get a lot done at the plate but Kylie did a great job pitching for us.

“This is the kind of game we need to get ready for our tournament this weekend and the district which is coming up soon,” she added. The Lady Hurricanes will take part in the Tiny Day Classic in Greeneville with pool play games on Thursday and Friday and bracket games on Sunday.

Davis went on to say, “We played good defense today and them not getting any walks was the key to the victory.

“Ella had the big hit for us again tonight. We beat a good softball team tonight.”

In the bottom of the first, Keeley Shisler hit a line drive that was speared by the third baseman in leading off. Hamilton followed with a hard shot that wound up going off the first baseman’s leg.

Wampler then blasted her blast giving her home runs in three straight official plate appearances. Smith didn’t allow the Lady ‘Canes much after that.

Hamilton’s double came with two out in the third for the next runner. She then walked Wampler and struck out the next batter. Rader walked in the fourth and both Wampler and Zoe Shelley walked in the sixth and those were the only runners for East in the game.

Rader retired 11 of the first 13 batters she faced before Aimee Flynn homered with two out in the fourth to get the Lady Panthers within 2-1.

However, Rader retired all 10 batters she faced after that to preserve the victory margin.

Leslie Hensley had a single in the first for Powell, now 11-15 for the season, and Olivia Mahoney had a bunt hit in the third. Those were the only two times the visitors had runners on the base paths all night.

The victory avenged a 17-11 loss to the Lady Panthers earlier in the season.