Lady Vikes advance to the second round after defeating Grenada

A controversial obstruction call nearly ended Warren Central’s softball season on Tuesday but the Lady Vikes pulled off the 10-inning 7-6 win over Grenada to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

The first blow to the game was when star pitcher Maddy Pant was struck by a ball in the head which forced freshman KeKe McKay to step in and lead WC.

Jenn Smith: Photo by Richard Miller

Both teams had a slow-pace start until the third inning when WC struck first once Sarah Cameron Fancher hit a two-run double to put the score at 2-0. The next run wouldn’t occur until the sixth when Grenada scored to put things at 2-1.

Grenada eventually tied things at two but WC had a chance to put the game away in the seventh inning. Adalyn Anderson hit a double and MK Ferguson but the questionable obstruction call left the Lady Vikes unable to score which forced an eighth inning.

MK Ferguson: Photo by Richard Miller

Grenada earned two runs in the eighth and things looked to be going their way until Anderson saved the day with a two-run double that put the score at 4-4 going into the ninth.

A solid double gave Grenada their fifth run in the ninth but Ferguson landed a nice hit to tie the game at five.

The tenth and final inning was just as hectic as the first nine which began with a single that gave Grenada the 6-5 lead. Fancher was intentionally walked twice earlier in the game but this time Anderson was the one who took the free base. A single by Tyra Bridges tied the game at six which was followed by a sacrifice from Ferguson that allowed Kamryn Morson to get the winning run.

Ferguson had three hits and two RBIs while Anderson finished with two crucial doubles and two RBIs.

“I’m really proud of us and we proved ourselves,” Anderson said. I knew I had a job to do and we plan to win this Friday as well.”

Bridges, Morson, and Jenn Smith all had one hit along with Fancher who also had two RBIs.

McKay faced plenty of pressure in the big game but stood tall through it all.

KeKe McKay: Photo by Richard Miller

“We lost our ace pitcher so I knew it was time to step up so I did my job,” she said.

WC will travel to play South Panola on Friday.