When You Hit, I Hit, We Hit

Up first for the Falcons was the talented group from Davie County. DCHS boasts seven or eight collegiate bound players, and have a legitimate chance in the 4A classification this year. The Falcons of Forbush High School traveled to Mocksville this past Friday night for its first test of the season.

The Falcons were ready for the challenge. Allison Mitchell got things started in the top of the first inning with a lead-off double. Sydney Miller brought her home with a soft single down the right field line to give the Falcons an early 1-0 lead.

Sydney kept the Davie bats off balance for most of the night. In fact, Miller didn't allow a hit until the 3rd inning, giving her eight straight innings of no-hit ball. The game would remain 1-0 through five innings due in a large part to the untimely hitting of the Falcons, and the solid defensive work of the War Eagles.

In the top of the 6th, it was Madison Baity's turn to lead as she knocked a single to right-center field. Lineberry followed with a little small ball in the form of a sacrifice bunt to get Baity over to second. Baity advanced to third on a wild pitch, and Lexie Wingler (DP) walked to put runners on the corners with one out. A pivotal point in the game as Jessie "The Clutch" Hunter steps to the plate. Hunter lays down a perfect squeeze bunt that scores Baity from third and sets the table for the top of the Falcon order.

Allison Mitchell and Taylor Wooten drove in three more runs, and by the end of the inning the score was 5-0 in favor of the Falcons. Davie County got one back in the bottom of the 6th, but the Falcons picked up two more runs in the top of 7th thanks to hits from Miller, Lineberry and Wingler. The Falcons get the win 7-1!

Up next, the Falcons hosted the Cardinals of East Wilkes. East Wilkes has been a power at the 1A level for a number of years. Still trying to find their identity under new Coach Derrick Hill, the Cardinals freshman pitcher was shocked early by the experienced hitters of Forbush.

In the bottom of the first, Kelsey Swaim reached base after working a walk from Rakes. Taylor Wooten followed with a smash to left field that ate the left fielder for lunch. Swaim was able to make it all the way around to score the first run of the game. Logan Wood joined in with a single of her own to score Wooten.

The Falcons added three more in the bottom of the 2nd inning as batters were eagerly waiting their turn at the dish. Mitchell, Swaim and Wooten had hits to push the lead up to 5-0, and it looked like this game might end early. The Falcons added another in the 3rd. However, leading 6-0, the Falcons lost the momentum. The Cardinals, like all good teams, took advantage and put up 3 runs in a two inning span to make the score 6-3 heading into the bottom of the 6th.

A game that was destined to end in five innings was now close enough to make some fans nervous. Fortunately for the Falcons, the top of the order was set to regain the focus and stretch the lead. Mitchell led the march with a hard ground ball up the middle for a single. Swaim sacrificed and managed to beat it out for a single. Wooten almost knocked Rakes off the mound with a line drive to the leg that brought a silence to the field. The freshman pitcher showed a lot of courage by stepping back on the rubber to face Logan Wood with the bases loaded. Sometimes a little courage can get a person in trouble. The shortstop caught the brunt of it as Wood scorched a line drive through the shortstop and into the left-center gap. Miller completed the scoring with a sac fly, and then pitched a calm 7th to give the Falcons the 9-3 win.

The Lady Falcons will again hit the field on Wednesday to face off against Walkertown in a JV/Varsity double header. Come out to the home game and support the Lady Falcons!

Caiti Mickles has taken a dominant role, both offensively and in the pitching circle. Mickles has pitched three games this season, and is in total control on the mound. At the plate, Mickles has shown power that puts her far ahead of her sophomore status.

The rest of the team has followed suit, and the team's confidence is growing after wins over Davie County and North Davidson. This confidence spilled over to the East Wilkes game on Monday as the team won a decisive game against the Cardinals.

Newcomer, Kara Scott had her first plate appearance in the East Wilkes game. First plate appearance of her career, not the season. After going down a couple of strikes, Scott punched a single over the 3rd baseman's head. A celebratory dance worthy of the NFL was enjoyed by all as Kara made her way back to the bag at 1st base. Kara was so excited that she left Coach Hauser hanging on the high five at first base. Coach Hauser still talked about the hit well into the varsity game. Good times!