East Coweta stays alive with win over Lowndes, plays Mill Creek Saturday morning

COLUMBUS-The East Coweta Lady Indians lived to fight another day Friday night as Rachel Vaughan had a four hit, nine strikeout effort that ended the season for the Lowndes Vikettes by a 4-1 decision in the 7A Elite Eight Championship Tournament at South Commons Complex.

The Lady Indians will take a 30-5 record into an elimnation game against the Mill Creek Lady Hawks Saturday morning at 11 am while the Vikettes finished the season 28-6.

After they held Vikettes in the top of the first, the Lady Indians took the lead in the bottom of the frame as Lindsay “Lulu” Warren singled, stole second and scored on a one out single by Kelley Lynch.

In the bottom of the second inning, Ashlynn Gunter led off with a single but was called out for leaving the base early when Caison Byars appeared to receive a walk on ball four.

Byars would reach base on a throwing error that allowed her to reach second before scoring when Caroline Lively singled between first and second.

The bottom of the fifth became pivotal for EC as they added two more runs to take a 4-0 lead.

Lynch led off with a shot over the left field fore a solo home run and Vaughan followed by reaching on a walk.

After courtesy runner Krys Odum was sacrificed to second, Gunter lined a single to right for the RBI and the lead was 4-0.

The cushion was enough for Vaughan was in complete control throughout the contest and was getting strong plays behind her like a double play in the top of the first inning when Olivia Davis caught a line drive at second and ran to the base to complete a double play.

It also didn;t hurt for Vaughan to have the strikeout ball working as she recorded nine strikeouts against the Vikettes.

She lost her bid for a shutout in the top of the fifth inning on a pair of doubles, but she pitched around the hits to closeout the game and the Vikettes' season.

Lynch and Gunter each had two singles to lead the offense.

Now the bid for a state title continues...