By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
Class 3A’s fifth-ranked Ashville High School defeated seventh-ranked Glencoe High School, 2-0, in girls softball action on March 20 at Glencoe.
Ashville tallied two unearned runs in top of the fourth inning and rode the arm of starting pitcher Taylor Tucker to take a key area win.
Alaina Hampton led off the third inning with a single and Sally Tinker followed with a single and the Lady Yellow Jackets appeared to be heading towards a big inning. Danielle Wilson struck out and Lorren Massaro singled to load the bases with one out. Chandler Hardin hit a grounder to the mound with Tucker throwing the runner out at the plate and Rosie Hartline struck out to end the inning.
The Lady Yellow Jackets managed three hits in the bottom of the third inning, but Bulldog hurler Taylor Tucker pitched her way out of the jam without giving up a run.
In the fourth inning Ashville scored two unearned runs, which proved to be the difference in the game. A walk, two errors and a single plated two runs for the visitors. Nikki Moss walked with one out and Stephanie Whisenant reached on an error. Tory Smith struck out and Nicole Mendez hit a bloop-single to center to score Moss. An errant throw on a pick-off attempt allowed Whisenant to score.
Jordan Sims allowed four hits and struck out five in taking the loss for Glencoe (15-8), while Taylor Tucker struck out eight and surrendered five hits for Ashville (11-2).