Warlassies take two on Senior Night

Owen softball sweeps Avery in doubleheader

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
April 27, 2021

Three seniors took the field at Owen for the final regular season home games of their high school softball careers, April 26, as the Warlassies welcomed Avery for a doubleheader.

By the end of the evening, there was plenty to celebrate.

The Warlassies’ offense erupted for a total of 29 runs in a sweep of the Vikings to improve to 7-4 this season and move into a tie for second place in the Western Highlands Conference. The victories set up a Wednesday, April 28 regular season finale at Madison, where Owen will need a win for a share of first place.

The Vikings were the home team in the opening contest Monday night, after a March 31 matchup between the teams was postponed. The Warlassies jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning and added to their lead in the third. Owen would put 8 more runs on the scoreboard in the final inning, as senior catcher Hannah Fortson hit her third home run of the season and her second in two games.

Sophomore pitcher Addison Bartlett collected her sixth win of the season, allowing only 2 hits and tallying 5 strikeouts.

Following the 14-0 victory, as Owen prepared for its final official home game of the regular season, the team recognized its seniors: Fortson, Addie Hamilton and Madison Austin.

Head coach Pete Ledford presented each senior with a plaque commemorating their respective careers with the program, as their parents escorted them to the diamond. There, each senior was greeted by teammates with gifts, tiaras and emotional hugs from their teammates.

The break between the two games did little to slow the momentum the Warlassies established in the first game of the doubleheader, as the offense of Owen remained hot in the 15-6 victory.

The Warlassies improved to 7-2 in the WHC, where they are tied for second place with Mountain Heritage, which fell on the road against Madison, 7-3.