Warriorettes strike first, can’t hold off Livingston

It was another tough night for the White County Warriorette softball team on Thursday, falling 5-3 to Livingston Academy.

White County came out swinging early. Kylie Norvell worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position on a hard-hit single from her sister, Addie. Anna McCulley followed with a double to plate the first run, and the Warriorettes kept the pressure on. Addie Norvell and McCulley both came around to score after a sharply hit ground ball by Callie Phillips was mishandled at first base, giving White County a quick 3-0 advantage.

Livingston answered in the bottom half of the inning and quickly shifted the momentum. With two outs, a line drive that was misplayed in right field by Jordan Wright allowed a runner to reach and move into scoring position. A double from the next batter brought in a run, and aggressive base running helped the Lady Wildcats tack on another before the inning came to a close, cutting the lead to one.

Two innings later, Livingston took control for good. A solo home run, followed by a single and a fielder’s choice, allowed the Lady Wildcats to move in front 4-3. They added an insurance run in the sixth inning and held off any late push from White County the rest of the way.

At the plate, the top of the Warriorette lineup continued to produce. The Norvell sisters combined for five hits and a walk, scoring two of the team’s three runs. McCulley added a hit, an RBI, and scored the other run. Outside of that trio, offense was hard to come by, with just two additional hits on the night — one each from Annie Burrier and Addison Howell.

In the circle, freshman Annie Burrier went the distance, tossing six innings. She allowed eight hits and three walks while striking out one. Of the five runs she surrendered, just three were earned, as defensive miscues proved costly in a game that slipped away after a strong start.

WHITE COUNTY BOX SCORE 

HITS: Kylie Norvell 3, Addison Norvell 2, Anna McCulley 1, Addison Howell 1, Annie Burrier 1 
RUNS: Kylie Norvell 1, Addison Norvell 1, Anna McCulley 1 
RBI: Anna McCulley 1, Callie Phillips 2 
2B: Kylie Norvell 2, Anna McCulley, Annie Burrier 
TB: Kylie Norvell 5, Addison Norvell 2, Anna McCulley 2, Annie Burrier 2, Addison Howell 1 
E: Anna McCulley, Jordan Wright, Kylie Norvell 

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