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DANDRIDGE – Morristown West closed out their first round of district softball play against Jefferson County on Tuesday evening in typical fashion, with dominant pitching and timely hitting.

Taking on the Lady Patriots, sophomore Briony Bunsic struck out 15 batters and reached base three times. Aviah Bunsic also reached base three times while Mikaela Olodey smacked a solo homer, as West cruised to a 6-0 win.

With the win, West finished the first half of district play undefeated.

“We have played a lot of softball here recently and are probably a little tired, but I thought we did well tonight to get a conference win,” Morristown West coach Heather Kelley said. “I thought Bri had a great night, and Mikaela did a great job at the plate. Really, both Bunsic girls did a good job at the plate just getting us going. Really proud of them and the team for getting a win.”

The win comes off a big weekend for Morristown West at the Eastman Tournament. The Lady Trojans went 4-1 over the weekend, earning the No.1 seed in bracket play. West’s lone loss came to Halls, who went on to win the tournament, in a close contest.

“It was a really good weekend for us,” Kelley said. “That’s the first time we have been the No.1 seed at Eastman. I think the girls saw that we can definitely be there come postseason and do it.”

Briony Bunsic pitched all seven innings in the game. She allowed a walk in the fourth and a bloop single in the sixth, but that was all. She struck out the side in the first, third and fifth innings.

At the plate, Briony reached base three times, two singles and a hit-by-pitch. Aviah Bunsic also singled twice and was hit by a pitch, as well. With both getting on base at the top of the lineup, that gave three-hole hitter Jaelyn McDaniel and Olodey, the cleanup hitter, opportunities to drive in runs. McDaniel had a two-RBI double, while Olodey had a two-RBI triple and a solo homer.

Aubrie Messer singled twice and drove in a run, as well.

For Jefferson County, Tia Stewart pitched the entire game. Stewart struck out three. At the plate, Zoe Lawson drew a walk for the Lady Patriots while Bella Watson picked up their lone hit.

Things started quick for West, as Briony Bunsic singled to start the game and Aviah Bunsic was hit by a pitch. Following a popout to third, Olodey gave West a 2-0 lead with a triple. The Lady Trojans added one more run in the inning when Messer singled home Olodey.

In the second, two more runs came across for the Lady Trojans as Briony and Aviah Bunsic both singled with two outs and were driven home on a two-RBI double by McDaniel to make it 5-0.

However, Stewart was solid from there in the circle for Jeff County for the next four innings. In the seventh, with the score still 5-0, Olodey gave West even more cushion with a solo shot.

Briony Bunsic set down Jeff County 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning to close the game out.

“It’s a conference win, and we did it coming up to Jeff,” Kelley said. “We’re happy, of course. We’re just going to keep on going and get ready for Thursday.”

West will be back in action on Thursday, remaining in district play. The Lady Trojans will host Sevier County with first pitch set for 5 p.m.