Edgar's perfect game propels TAD

By Wes Holtsclaw
STAR CORRESPONDENT
wholtsclaw@starhq.com

   The T.A. Dugger Lady Cyclones proved yet again Monday afternoon that they are on the right track to a tournament title, and they used a lot of help from Mary Edgar on the mound.
   Battling John Sevier Middle, the regular-season champions bounced ahead in tournament action, using Edgar's perfect game on the mound to take a 12-0 first-round victory.
   "It was a one-eight matchup, so I knew if we played our game we would win," said T.A. Dugger coach Harry Farthing. "We couldn't overlook them, but Mary was in complete control. She is amazing. She throws five different pitches and can hit her spots. She can keep hitters off stride."
   The eighth-grader picked up her 10th win of the season after striking out 13 of the 15 batters she faced.
   Despite Edgar's heroics, Brittany Smith was a hitting machine for the Lady Cyclones (16-0), going 3-for-3 with a home run and a double along with five RBIs.
   The squad opened the first inning with a four-run outing. Edgar walked, setting up Smith's two-run shot. Michaela Pietrowski followed suit with a big triple, scoring on a Kendall Blackston single.
   Blackston scored from a Tia Nave hit, as the Lady Cyclones came away looking dominant.
   They followed in the second inning with a Leah Henson double. Henson scored from a Kyla Jones double, setting up a Smith single. Blackston stepped up with a two-run double, giving T.A. Dugger a 7-0 lead.
   Both squads were scoreless in the third inning, but the Lady Cyclones continued their prowess in the fourth.
   Edgar and Jones opened with singles for the squad, setting up Smith's two-run double. Pietrowski followed with an RBI single, while Nave took a hit before Holly Livingston ended the game with a two-run double of her own.
   Said Farthing: "We hit it up and down the lineup and did a good job today. Smith and Pietrowski have done good all year and Blackston is a rock behind the plate. I was tickled with our undefeated season and I would love to cap it off and run the table."
   The victory puts T.A. Dugger in an outing Wednesday at the Bristol Sports Complex. A victory in its 4:30 outing, where Brittany Smith (6-0) will take the mound, would put them in the 6 p.m. championship game.
   Chelsie Royal took the loss for John Sevier.