Robbinsville Lady Knights advance to Sweet 16
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights were subjected to a scrappy dogfight in round two of the state playoffs, hosting the No. 19-seeded Elkin Buckin’ Elks on May 11.
Robbinsville ultimately prevailed 6-4, in a game that reads like the truest definition of a “team” win.
Elkin (12-9) received two free gifts to begin the affair, as Maggie Tomlin and Kyliegh Price were both hit by Frapp pitches. But the Robbinsville ace swiftly escaped the jam by forcing the Elks into three quick outs.
Elkin did strike first in the game – Karly Gentry singled with one out in the second and later came home on a two-out Josie Hoyle hit – but the Knights wasted no time getting the run back when Frapp sprinted home on an error in the bottom of the frame. Robbinsville (No. 3, 19-4) went on to take command of the game in the third, capping a 4-hit inning with pinch runner Ryn Hooper finding the plate on an error and Phillips driving in Williams.
All remained quiet from that point until the fifth, when Hoyle bunted her way aboard with one out and soon dashed home on an error. Williams grounded out to plate Shuler in the home-half, but the Buckin’ Elks cut the deficit to one in the sixth on a Gentry flyout that brought in Lily Robbins. Frapp had issued three walks in the sixth and Watty was called on to record the final out, with Frapp re-entering to begin the seventh and finishing out the victory.
Robbinsville built its final bit of breathing room in prompt fashion, as Taylor came in on an error and Barlow sprinted home on a wild pitch.
Down to the last out of its season, Elkin attempted a rally when Tomlin doubled to keep the year alive. Price followed with an RBI single, but Robbins grounded out to end the game.
The Knights were set to host Union Academy (No. 11, 20-4) in the third round Tuesday, but Mother Nature had other plans. The game was pushed back to after Wednesday’s press deadline.