EC gains sole possession of first behind RBIs by Griffin and Gunter to support 10K one-hitter by Lynch

Ansley Gunter drilled a shot Monday afternoon as her grand slam in the
bottom of the second inning gave the East Coweta Lady Indians an 8-0
lead on the way to a 14-0 win over the Newnan Lady Cougars. Photo by Barbara Lecuona.

SHARPSBURG-The last nine days have not been kind to the East Coweta Lady Indians as they have battled through rainouts and the end of their 52-game winning streak en route to a key Region 2-AAAAAAA showdown with the Newnan Lady Cougars.
Finally, the two teams met Monday evening and with rain or a long winning streak becoming issue, the Lady Indians got two hits and four RBIs from Ashleigh Griffin and a grand slam from Ansley Gunter to lead  the way to a 14-0 four inning win.
The Lady Indians improved the overall record to 17-2 but more importantly a 3-0 record in the region that clinches at least a tie before a Tuesday contest in Cobb County against Wheeler.
The Lady Cougars fell to 9-4 overall and 2-1 in the region with a game against Campbell on the horizon.
Kelley Lynch opened the contest by retiring the side in order by strikeout and her teammates scored three times in the bottom of the frame to give her a cushion.
Lilly Agan led off with a single while Carmen Prior doubled and Lynch was awarded first on an intentional walk.
A double play nearly stalled a scoring threat but Gunter was hit by a pitch that reloaded the bases and Ansley Duffey recorded an RBI when she reached on a walk.
Griffin gave the Lady Indians a 3-0 lead as she lined a single that brought courtesy runner Katie Taylor and Gunter home.
The Lady Cougars opened the top of the second inning on a positive note as Danielle Curlee reached on an infield error but she couldn't advance any further as Lynch retired the next three batters on strikeouts.
In the bottom of the inning, the Lady Indians as Olivia Cook led of by reaching on a double that was lined along the third base line and after Agan was hit by a pitch, Lynch was awarded first again to load the bases.
Gunter came to the plate and made the Lady Cougars pay for the intentional walk as she drilled a 1-2 offering  in which the Newnan outfielders didn't move as the ball continued to sail over the fence.
Two more strikeouts followed by a single from KK Madrey and a walk to Hailey Bloom gave the Lady Cougars some hope but a popfly that was caught by EC catcher Caroline Lively ended the threat and the top of the third inning.
In the bottom of the frame, the Lady Indians added to their run total as the scored six more runs that led to the final margin.
Prior singled, Lynch walked and Copper singled Prior home while Taylor, who ran for Lynch scored on an outfield error.
Gunter and Duffey reached on consecutive walks to load the bases but a wild pitch allowed Cooper to score and Griffin followed with a double that scored Gunter and Duffey.
Hanna Miller reached on a pinch hit walk and Cook followed with a single to left field that scored Griffin but Miller, who would have ended the game, was tagged out at the plate.
In the top of the fourth inning, Lynch retired the side in order as she retired Curlee on a flyball and the next two batters and strikeouts to give her 10 for the afternoon.