By Marlin Curnutt

Tribune Correspondent

RUTLEDGE – When Grainger needed a big hit at the best time against Union County Monday, the Lady Grizzlies always came through.

Timely doubles early in the game and four big insurance runs in the sixth inning led Grainger to a 6-1 win at The Den. Shylo Williford had 10 strikeouts and only three hits given up to keep Union County off the bases for most of the afternoon.

Grainger’s first two runs came in the third inning when Amanda Kledzik hit a double to left field and Rylyn Woods followed with a single to center. McKinley Mills laid down the perfect sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position and then Williford came through with a two-out double to make it 2-0.

“I’m super proud of Mills right there in that situation as she did her job,” Grainger head coach Ben Williford said of the perfect execution in the small-ball play.

“That’s what it takes and that is something we have been lacking: moving runners, putting the bunt down and getting us into scoring position. Shylo came through with that big double to give us the lead.”

Union County made it a one-run game in the sixth when Kingston Brown hit an RBI single to make it 2-1 but the Lady Grizzlies answered in the bottom of the inning with four runs of their own. Emma Hodge’s sac fly scored Destanee Davis, Grace Lincoln scored on a wild pitch, Mills had an RBI single to left field and Jaylee Hayes scored on an infield error by Union County to make it a 6-1 affair. Williford slammed the door in the seventh.

“We were able to build on that lead in the sixth with bunts and Union County made a few errors that we took advantage of,” Williford said. “We were able to move runners again and tonight, we didn’t chase anything and I was glad to see that. Some of our hitters walked which is kind of uncommon for them because they swing at everything but we were able to get some hits there at the end.”

The Lady Grizzlies seem to be picking up some steam lately as they are 4-2 in their last six games. With the district tournament only a week away, Williford said he wants to see his team play their best softball of the season right now.

“Everything is practice until next week when the season really starts. We need to get rolling and I think we can, we just have to believe in themselves because we have had a little doubt at times this season. We have played a tough schedule and if you look at our record, it’s not that good (14-16) but when you play who we have, it might not be good but we want to be competitive.”