Greenbrier breezes by Evans, 8-2
Greenbrier softball coach Garrett Black would like to think his team resembles a train, gaining momentum along the way.
Greenbrier's Brittany Leverett slides safely into second as Evans' Rebekah Gibbs loses the ball in the fourth inning at Evans High School. Greenbrier scored seven runs in the fourth and won the game 8-2.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The top-ranked Lady Wolfpack added another win on a planned return trip to the state finals, besting Evans 8-2 on Thursday under a dark sky provided by Hurricane Ivan.
The Wolfpack received another strong outing from Kristan Glover, who verbally committed to Tennessee Tech recently.
Glover pitched a complete game, striking out six in her 10th win of the season. The senior did run into trouble, giving up an uncharacteristic two runs. Evans was only the third team to score more than a run against her. She also had some control problems, hitting two batters.
"It is fair to say I wasn't very sharp out there today," Glover said, "Some days you just don't have your best stuff.
"But we pushed through in spite of my struggles. The defense bailed me out a few times, and we hit the ball well."
Greenbrier took control of the game in the fourth inning, when the Wolfpack scored seven runs to give Glover an 8-0 lead.
She surrendered two runs but Evans couldn't put together a rally.
"We hit the ball well," Evans coach Colette Cassedy said. "We just couldn't string together a lot of hits in a row. You have to take advantage of every opportunity you get against (Glover) because she is so good."
Another Glover spearheaded the offensive effort for Greenbrier.
Amanda Glover hit a solo home run - the first of her career - in the second inning to give Greenbrier a 1-0 lead. She added an RBI double and a single later in the game.
"I think the wind got a hold of it," the junior second baseman said jokingly.
Black said that the younger Glover has been playing "great" over the last few weeks, rebounding from a slow start.
"Amanda has hit the ball well recently, and that has been a boost for the offense," Black said. "She is versatile and brings a lot to our team."