North Hall stuns Propes, Pickens

MURRAYVILLE - No one can accuse the North Hall girls softball team of not having heart.

The Lady Trojans came back three times Thursday night against Whitney Propes, considered the top fastpitch prospect in Georgia, to post an amazing 6-5 come-from-behind win over Pickens County in nine innings.

The win propelled North Hall (21-4, 9-0) into sole possession of first place in Region 7-AAA with one game left before next weekend's region tournament

"These girls are just a great bunch of kids. They just don't know how to quit. They showed they have a lot of fight in them," North Hall assistant coach David Dyer said.

Amy Smith provided the game-winning blow with a two-run double past a diving Pickens centerfielder.

Smith was the unlikely hero having looked overmatched with three strike outs in her first three at-bats against Propes.

"I was nervous the whole game. I just couldn't settle down. But I just concentrated better and was able to connect on a pitch. It's the greatest feeling in the world," Smith said afterwards.

Propes just stood on the mound after the winning run crossed the plate with her head in her hands.

Haley Bower got the win for North hall going the distance. Offensively the Trojans banged out nine hits, the second highest total against Propes this season.

Propes put the Dragons (16-6, 8-1) ahead 1-0 in the sixth when she belted a two-out, 3-2 fastball over the centerfield wall. But North Hall answered that with a run in the bottom of the sixth when Lindsey Kitchens drove in Brooke Smith, who went 4-for-4 against Propes.

The Trojans had a chance to win it in the bottom of the seventh but Caroline Bower was picked off third on a bunt attempt.

The Dragons looked to take advantage an inning later. After North Hall intentionally walked Propes to put runners on first and second, Elainia Davis smacked a 3-run homer to center for a 4-1 lead.

"It didn't look good after that but we just told the girls that Whitney was hittable and to stay positive," Dyer said.

Brooke Smith struck again driving in Courtney Cooper and Kitchens tripled to make it 4-3. But after Amber Belton struck out and Haley Bower was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs, Kitchens didn't wait for another hit, stealing home to tie the game.

In the ninth, the Dragons took a 5-4 lead on a run-scoring bunt setting the stage for the final, dramatic comeback.

"We may not see a better game of anything this year," Dyer said. "It lived up to what everyone thought would be a great game. Fortunately, we came out on top today."