Lady Knights begin season 2-0
Robbinsville – It’s been a while.
But after 22 months without playing an official game on its home field, the Robbinsville varsity softball program has finally gotten back on the diamond.
“I’m so thankful for every day that we get to be out here,” said Lady Knights head coach Billy Knight. “I’ve almost got to the point where I’ve stopped thinking about COVID, for the first time in a year.
“We have a great team and I just want them to get the opportunity to play. They’re fun to watch.”
The Lady Knights (2-0, 2-0) capped off its first two games of the 2021 season on Judy Nichols Memorial Field on Tuesday, prevailing against the visiting Swain County Lady Devils, 5-1.
“I loved the game today,” Knight said. “Good pitching on both sides; but ultimately, my freshman (Memory Frapp) looked every bit the part we thought she was. Our defense behind her was phenomenal.
Frapp went the distance in her first varsity start, fanning nine Lady Devils (1-1, 1-1) and carrying a no-no into the sixth inning.
“It started off kind of rough, but with my team behind me, I knew they had my back and it came together,” said Frapp. “I gave up a few walks and wasn’t hitting my spots early, but this team is solid and I’m glad to have them supporting me.”
Offensively, Maggie Knight had a 3-hit evening, while Zoie Shuler doubled twice and Kensley Phillips muscled a 2-run, opposite-field homer over the right-field fence in the bottom of the fourth.
“The count was full and I was fired up,” Phillips said after the game. “We were a little nervous early on, but we knew we could pull it out (a win).”
“Eight of the nine girls in the lineup will hit the ball out of the park at some point this year and some of them multiple times. That’s always a weapon,” Coach Knight pointed out. “We have a lot of depth and talent.
“I encourage everybody in the community that if you want to see some good softball, you’re going to see a lot of collegiate-level players at this 1A school.”
Eagles clipped
Robbinsville started its year with a 12-8 home victory over Hiwassee Dam (3-1, 3-1) on Saturday.
“I didn’t feel like we played a clean softball game, but that happens sometimes,” noted Coach Knight. “When you can play bad and still win, that’s a good thing.”
Knight homered in the third inning and later drove in more runs on a double in the fourth, finishing the game with four RBIs. Gabby Hooper doubled and had a 3-RBI afternoon, while Shuler tripled.
Patience Frapp picked up the victory with four innings of work while toeing the rubber.
March 20, 2021
Hiwassee Dam 200 200 4 – 8 12 2
Robbinsville 102 720 x – 12 11 4
WP – P. Frapp (1-0). LP – L. Stiles. 2B – Gibby, Hooper, Knight. 3B – Shuler. HR – Knight. SB – Shuler 2, Anderson, Odom, Turpin, Phillips.