Warriorettes Fall After Late DeKalb Rally

The White County High School Warriorettes built an early lead and held it deep into the game, but a late surge from DeKalb County turned the momentum in the final inning, handing White County an 8-5 loss.

White County came out swinging in the first inning. Addison Norvell led off with a single and moved to second on an outfield error. Kylie Norvell followed with a hard-hit ball into right field to bring her home, and Anna McCulley added another single to keep things going. With two outs, Annie Burrier delivered a line drive into left field that scored two more runs, giving the Warriorettes a quick 3-0 advantage.

DeKalb responded with two runs in the top of the second, but White County answered right back. Addison Norvell doubled and later scored when Kylie Norvell drove another ball into right field, stretching the lead to 4-2.

After a scoreless third inning, DeKalb used back-to-back doubles in the fourth to cut into the lead. Once again, the Warriorettes had an answer. Kylie Norvell doubled, and McCulley followed with a single to push White County’s lead to 5-3.

The game tightened in the sixth inning when DeKalb capitalized on a pair of errors and a hit batter to pull within one run. Still, White County held on and carried a 5-4 lead into the final frame.

That’s where things unraveled.

A leadoff walk and a double quickly tied the game, and an error allowed DeKalb to take the lead. Another miscue and a single put runners in scoring position, and a groundout brought another run across. A walk and a single set up a deep fly ball to center field, allowing a runner to tag and score, pushing the lead to 8-5.

White County was unable to respond in the bottom of the seventh, snapping a two-game win streak.

Burrier got the start in the circle for the Warriorettes. The freshman went 6.1 innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out five. Mabry Taylor came in to face the final two batters.

White County will be back on the road Thursday with a trip to Cumberland County, followed by a Friday matchup at Roane County.

WHITE COUNTY BOX SCORE:
HITS: Kylie Norvell 3, Addison Norvell 2, Anna McCulley 2, Addison Howell 2, Annie Burrier 2, Callie Phillips 1, Jordan Wright 1
RUNS: Addison Norvell 2, Kylie Norvell 2, Anna McCulley 1
RBI: Kylie Norvell 2, Anna McCulley 1, Annie Burrier 1
2B: Addison Norvell, Kylie Norvell
TB: Kylie Norvell 4, Addison Norvell 3, Addison Howell 2, Anna McCulley 2, Annie Burrier 2, Callie Phillips 1, Jordan Wright 1
HBP: AK Wallace
SB: Anna McCulley

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