Lynch records 16 K's wins pitching duel over Trammell as EC defeats Northgate

Kelley Lynch recorded 16 strikeouts in the win over Northgate
This was the second time in eight days that she has recorded
the feat. Meanwhile...

Pitching is a key in the game of fastpitch softball and that was proven Wednesday night at Northgate as the Lady Vikings hosted the East Coweta Lady Indians in a non-region contest between local rivals.

Kelley Lynch of the Lady Indians allowed one hit and recorded 16 strikeouts over seven innings while Brittany Trammell of the Lady Vikings allowed six hits and had seven strikeouts in her complete game.

However, there had to be a winner and a loser in this pitching duel and it was Lynch as a groundout by Rachel Vaughn accounted for the only run of the game in a 1-0 victory for the Lady Indians

By virtue of the victory, the Lady Indians will take a 16-2 record into the Elite Sports Classic on Friday while the Lady Vikings will take an 11-5-1 record into the same event which will be played in Gwinnett County.

Both pitchers set the style of game early as each recorded a pair of strikeouts in retiring the side in the first inning.

Brittany Trammell of Northgate had a strong outing on the
pitching rubber as well by allowing six hits and recording seven
strikeouts Wednesday night. 

The Lady Indians had an opportunity to get on the board in the top of the second inning as Vaughn drilled a shot to center field that almost became a home run but Lady Viking center fielder Kelsey Williston robbed her with one of two great catches in the outfield.

The scoreless tie was broken in the top of the fourth inning as Lynch led off for EC with a single to left field and Caison Byars was sent into the game.

With Vaughn at bat, Byars stole second base and while the Northgate infield was not paying attention took off for third with another steal before eventually scoring when Vaughn grounded out to shortstop Ashley Kent.

The 1-0 lead apparently was enough for Lynch who retired the first 11 batters she faced in the game and flirted with a perfect game until Echols had a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth inning.

However, Lynch recovered by retiring the next seven batters in order with all going down by strikeout.

Trammell struggled some in her later innings as the Lady Indians threatened to score some insurance runs in the top of the fifth inning as Caroline Lively reached on a walk and Carmen Prior reached on a bunt single.

However, Trammell would recover and retire the next two batters on strikeouts.

In the top of the sixth inning, EC threatened again to score after one out as Vaughn singled and after a strikeout, Ashlynn Gunter reached on a walk.

Once again Trammell survived the rally as Hanna Miller singled to left and pinch runner Krys Odum was sent home from second but the umpire ruled that she was out at the plate on a throw from left fielder Karlee Parrot to Echols behind the plate.

Trammell retired the side in order in the top of the seventh and gave Northgate a chance to rally in the bottom of the frame.

Caitlyn Cain reached first on an error to open the inning but was retired on a force play as Echols reached first.

Another Lady Indians’ error in the frame allowed Trinity Ingleston to reach first while courtesy runner MaKenna Scott advanced to second on the play.

Lynch recovered as Trammell hit a flyball to Lulu Warren in center field who threw to second for a double play as Scott was caught trying to go to third on the play and the game came to an end.