Barlow’s walk-off double lift Knights to conference tie
Robbinsville – After the first inning of the May 11 season finale, the middle school Lady Knights and Cherokee were tied 1-1.
By the bottom of the seventh, the game was stuck in the same deadlock. But a leadoff single from Jayden Chekeleelee and a subsequent Daphne Barlow double caused Robbinsville to erupt in celebration, as the Lady Knights finished the year 10-2 after a 2-1 triumph over the Lady Braves.
“I want to say that I am so proud of my girls,” head Lady Knights coach Anna Stewart said. “We are a young team, but these girls work hard on and off the field, everyday. They put in the work, and that is why they play like they do.
“I am so glad I had the privilege to coach this amazing group of young ladies.”
The score was a stark contrast to the May 6 meeting between the two programs, which featured Robbinsville pouring out 20 runs to run-rule the hosts. An error in the top of the first May 11 scored Cherokee’s only run, while Robbinsville also scored on an error in the bottom of the frame after Anna Williams tripled and the Braves’ defense fumbled the ball when it reached the infield.
The win tied Robbinsville with Swain atop the western conference standings, but the Lady Devils were afforded a trip to the championship game due to their season-sweep of the Lady Knights.
“I know that next year, we will be unstoppable,” Stewart added.
Black Knights
On the baseball diamond, Robbinsville could not replicate the success it had found in an 11-8 road victory over Cherokee on May 6, as the Braves pulled away across the last few innings and picked up a 9-5 win. Robbinsville finished the season 3-8.