Oh, what a difference five days make. In the weather, that is. After winning the district title in 90 degree heat last week, the Midway Lady Waves opened region play against the Oneida Lady Indians on Monday evening under an overcast sky and with temperatures in the 50’s.
The Lady Waves got right to work, though. After holding Oneida scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Midway girls showed off some of that offensive explosiveness they’ve been known for this season. With two outs on the board, senior Taylor Narramore singled. She was followed by sophomore Alex Richardson, who cranked the ball over the center field fence against some strong winds. 2-0, Lady Waves.
Oneida had made it to region play, and they weren’t going down without a fight. In the top of the third, the Lady Indians knocked a two-run double with two runners on to tie things up. It looked for a moment like the big crowd on hand would get to see a real contest.
However, the bottom of the third brought up the top of the Midway order, and it looked like the Lady Waves had seen enough. The next seven Midway batters reached base, including Richardson, senior Paige Moree and sophomore Christina Stansbury, who all doubled. Stansbury’s double clanked hard near the top of the left field fence. The Lady Waves added a total of five runs in the inning, to stretch their lead to 7-2.
In the bottom of the fourth, junior Danielle Borum hit the ball way over the fence in left center field for a solo homer, nearly knocking a limb off one of the trees out there. A double by Taylor Narramore helped the Lady Waves put another two runs on the board before the frame was over.
In the top of the fifth, Borum made what was perhaps Midway’s best defensive play of the season. On a ball that was hit to shallow center field, Borum got on her horse and got dirty for a grab that had the SOR fans on their feet. Narramore got her fourth hit of the game in the bottom of the inning, which contributed to two more Midway runs crossing the plate. With that, the run rule came into effect, and the Lady Waves won, 12-2.
Top Midway hitters for the game included Taylor Narramore (4-4, 2B), Alex Richardson (2-3, HR, 2B), Danielle Borum (1-3, HR), Paige Moree (1-3, 2B) and Christina Stansbury (1-3, 2B). Alex Richardson was the winning pitcher, throwing four strike outs, with one hit and one walk.
Monday’s win puts the Lady Waves right where they’ve wanted to be all season. At Coalfield on Wednesday, playing for the Region 2A Championship. Game time is 5:30. The Lady Waves are the defending Region Champs, having beaten Coalfield 8-5 in last year’s region final.
good job Renfro. better late than never