Bats stay hot, Blue Devils move on

It may be easier to tell you who didn’t get a hit for Mooresville in round 1 of the state playoffs.  If they didn’t get a hit, they probably didn’t play in the game.  The Blue Devils were able to play a total of 19 players in the game, which is a season high.

The Blue Devils exploded for 6 runs in the first inning setting the tone early.

Maddie Colby started the Blue Devils off by getting a hit and following it up by stealing second base. On a 1-2 count after hitting three very hard foul balls Brooke Piper singled to the outfield scoring Colby, which was the game-winning hit in the first inning due to the outcome.  

Brooke Piper, Cadence Lane, Emily Dudley, Macy Crum, and Avrelle Harrell all had hits and drove in runs. Crum drove in 2 runs on her shot to the gap in left-center field.  Piper and Lane each led with 2 hits each and were eventually sat and rested for Olivia Polson and Alex Amon.  Amon came up big in the game by making a hit that gave the Blue Devils a victory achieving a 10-0 run-rule victory in the final inning. (Photo Shown)

With the Blue Devils up 6-0 in the bottom of the second, Emily Murphy hit a ball deep over the center fielder’s head and was off to the races.  As she rounded third there was a slight miscommunication between the coach and her on whether to go for 4 or hold up at third.  It turned out to be a close play at the plate, but Murphy was in there for the inside-the-park home run.  We spoke to Murphy about the play post-game.  (Photo shown headline and Audio below)

Pitching was the other half of the double-edged sword for Mooresville.  Campbell Schaen was stellar as usual, and Mia Wraight was equally dominating. They combined to hold Mallard Creek scoreless in the game with very few hits and only one true opportunity.  They are going to be difficult to contend with during the remainder of the postseason. (Audio Below)

Lauren Vanderpool, Brooke Piper, Maddie Colby, and Emily Dudley played fantastically in the infield.  Vanderpool, who is back after being out for most of the season, is a huge spark for this already talented team.  On offense, she hit the ball very hard and appears to be making great progress.  We look for her to have a breakout game Friday night vs Cuthbertson.  Colby and Dudley were again equally good covering the right side of the infield and Piper was a rock at third base.  The defense all around has been very solid for Mooresville and the outfield is amazing as well.

Another great play was done by Bentli Meadows, similar to a pick-off she had last week vs Hickory Ridge.  In a designed but low-key effort, Meadows made a throw down to second that was very deceptive and looked like it was going back to the pitcher.  Instead, it went to Maddie Colby at second base picking off the Mallard Creek base runner before anyone knew what happened. Meadows describes the play below in audio.

Blue Devils stole ten bases themselves during the game as two players (Brooke Piper, 3, and Lilly Rumrill 2) stole more than one.  Chloe Burkhouse and Lauren Spencer also had stolen bases for Mooresville. Madison Alteri led Mooresville with 3 total bases.

As everyone found out during the game, Cuthbertson defeated Myers Park giving Mooresville another home game this Friday night, May 12^th, and 6:00 pm. (due to lower seeding) Cuthbertson won the game 4-2 and shut down Myers Park right from the start of the game.  Anyone can win in the playoffs, especially in 4A so prepare for another war Friday in downtown Mooresville.