Lions, Lady Lions return to diamond
March 30, 2010

By DAVID CLAYBOURN
Herald-Banner Staff

GREENVILLE -- Fresh off a district win over R.L. Turner, the Greenville Lions will go back on the road for a District 10-4A baseball game tonight.

The Lady Lions, who lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to J.J. Pearce of Richardson on Friday, will entertain Rockwall in 10-4A softball at 7 tonight at Monty Stratton Field behind Greenville High School.

The Lions’ game at J.J. Pearce in Richardson is set for a 7:30 p.m. start.

The Lions upped their district record to 1-4 with a 7-4 victory over Turner. Greenville rallied from a 4-1 deficit with three runs in the sixth and three in the seventh.

“We started off slow again,” said Lions coach Cody Salyers. “The last two innings everything finally clicked. We’re hoping the last two innings carries us for the next 20 years.”

Hayden Stuart drove in three runs to spark the Lions, now 4-10 for the season. Chase Wofford went the distance to pick up the mound win.

The Lions, who’ve been hampered this season by wet conditions and maintenance issues at their home field, still haven’t played a game yet at home but practiced on John Mason field on Monday.

Salyers said the Lions have been concentrating in practice on situational hitting.

Pearce is 7-7 for the season and 1-4 in district play after falling 10-0 to undefeated Rockwall-Heath on Friday. The Mustangs managed only one hit in that game.

The Lions are to make their long awaited home debut on Thursday night against Rockwall.

Greenville’s Lady Lions are 10-6-1 for the season and 2-4 in district play following their narrow loss at Pearce. Greenville had one baserunner thrown out at home and three thrown out at third base.

“We’re hitting the ball a lot better this year,” said Lady Lions coach Glenn Banker. “The defense is much improved. What we are is a very young team.”

The Lady Lions are starting two seniors and one junior this season with underclassmen manning the rest of the positions.

Sophomore pitcher Rachael Cook struck out four and allowed only one earned run.

Leanah Halverson went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Lady Lion hitters. Sidney Tippit was 1-for-3, Katie Threndyle was 1-for-3 with a run batted in and Arian Alford went 1-for-2 with a stolen base. Brianna May was also 1-for-3 for Greenville.

Rockwall won its last district game, 15-0 on Friday night over Highland Park.

The Lady Lions will also be back at home for a district game on Thursday night against Rockwall-Heath.