PREP SOFTBALL: White, Payne go back-to-back for 3rd time in Cold Springs’ area rout

Published 8:55 pm Wednesday, April 8, 2015

COLD SPRINGS — Rilee White and Taylor Payne hit back-to-back jacks for the second consecutive day and third time of the season, and Cold Springs overcame a shaky start to topple Tanner 11-3 Wednesday at home.

The Lady Eagles trailed 2-1 after the second inning but broke open the area battle with a five-run fourth. Two frames later, Hanna Wilson led off with a single and took a front row seat for the latest demonstration by softball’s version of the “Bash Sisters.”

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White’s latest blast went for two runs, while Payne’s — as usual — went for one.

“Rilee’s taken a lot of Taylor’s RBIs from her,” said Cold Springs coach Patrick West without a hint of complaint. “There’s nobody on base when she comes up.”

Cold Springs actually scored three runs in three straight at-bats when Bailey West followed the bombs with a single and three-base error.

West, who also hit an RBI single in the fourth, wound up leading the Lady Eagles with a 3-for-4 performance. White went 2 for 3 with the two RBIs.

Payne (the solo shot), Victoria Freeman (two-run single), Wilson, Taylor Sisco, Hayden Goodwin and Crimson Gann all had a hit apiece.

White threw an uncharacteristic 37 pitches in the second but dialed in the rest of the way to complete four innings of eight pitches or less. She capped off a complete game with seven strikeouts, four hits and four walks.

“If you’re throwing five pitches, that’s pretty good,” coach West said.

Cold Springs (10-5-2, 4-0 area) is off until next week’s county tournament. The Eagles are hosting.