Pioneers rally past East Burke
From staff reports

Watauga took an early four-run lead, lost it, then got it back and beat East Burke 7-6 Tuesday in a Northwestern 4-A Conference showdown.

The Pioneers (2-5, 1-3 NWC) took a 4-0 lead after scoring twice in the first inning and two more times in the third. but East Burke (3-3, 0-3) struck back with three runs in the fifth and two in the sixth, one of those coming on a solo home run by Michelle Ward, to take a 5-4 lead. Watauga struck back with two more runs in the sixth on RBIs by Chandler Butler and Kara Tester, but East Burke added a run in the top of the seventh to tie the game 6-6.

Watauga got the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh when Breanna Steinke hit a scarifice fly to center field to drive in Jennifer Ballew, who had reached base on an error. Ballew also stole second base and reached third on Kelsey Rominger’s second hit of the game.

Watauga coach Brian Vannoy was happy how the Pioneers maintained their poise by winning the game in the last inning.

“It was nice to see us come out and play well early,” Vannoy said. “Even though we lost the lead, we kept our composure throughout the game.”

Watauga belted out 13 hits and got some help from East Burke’s defense, which made five errors. Pioneers pitcher Maddi Bakken took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, and finished the game with five strikeouts and four walks. She gave up five hits and two of East Burke’s six runs were unearned.

Watauga committed six errors. Vannoy said that will have to change if the Pioneers want to challenge for an NWC title.

“We’re starting to play better ball, but we still have to cut out the errors,” Vannoy said. “If we can reduce our errors, and continue to hit the way we have the last three or four games, we’ll continue to improve and make some noise in the confernece.”

The Pioneers were supposed to play at Alexander Central Thursday, but the game was postponed because of rain. Watauga’s varsity team is scheduled to play McGuffey, Pa. at Shuey Park in Morganton at noon, and then against Hickory Grove at 6 p.m.

The Watauga jayvee team plays McGuffey at 10 a.m., and Hickory Groce at 4 p.m., also at Shuey Park.

Watauga 7, East Burke 6
East Burke 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 — 6 5 5
Watauga 2 0 2 0 0 2 1 — 7 13 6
Bakken and Wells. Icard and Huffman. W—Bakken, L—Icard. LOB—Watauga 10, East Burke 8. 2B—Watauga, Pierce. HR—East Burke, Ward. SB— Watauga, Kincaid, Butler, Ballew.