By Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor
LEEDS — The Green Wave pulled a pair of teams under water and never let them up here on Tuesday, May 3, drowning the playoff hopes of Carver-Birmingham and Ramsay.
The wins secure a place in the finals of the 5A Area 10 softball tournament while also punching Leeds’ ticket to the regional playoffs. Here’s how it went down:
Game 1: Leeds 15, Carver 0
Senior pitcher Emma Machen pitched three innings of no-hit ball and the Green Wave exploded for 15 runs over the course of the first two innings to make a short afternoon for Carver.
Leeds got on board in the first when Sophie Sisk was hit by a pitch and then scored on a double steal as Sophie Gromko also nabbed second. Gromko scored on a wild pitch, and then Katelyn Howard walked on four straight pitches. Maddie Payne walked, and then Howard scored on a passed ball. Kinlee Gilley took a walk and then stole second. Marley Miller went to first on four straight pitches to load the bases.
Tanner Galloway then walked to bring Payne home and make it 4-0. Sisk was again hit by a pitch on her second at-bat of the inning, and this one brought Gilley around to score. With Gromko at bat, Miller scored on a passed ball and then Gromko walked again to make it 7-0. Sisk scored on a passed ball, and Zoie Galloway walked as well.
In the top of the second, Machen faced four batters, striking out three, and the Green Wave came to bat ready to help Carver continue its self-destructive ways. Payne walked, as did Indya Rogers. Miller tripled, clearing the bases, and then scored on the throw. After Sis scored again on another passed ball, Zoie Galloway doubled a hard line drive to center field and scored Gromko for the final run. Machen struck out the side in the top of the third, and the game was mercifully called to a close.
Game 2: Leeds 10, Ramsay 0
Another short outing for the Green Wave as Emma Machen went five innings and allowed two hits. The senior hurler struck out 11 and issued no free bases as Leeds stormed past the Rams.
The Green Wave collected 11 hits for the game, with Maddie Payne, Katelyn Howard and Sophie Sisk each getting two hits.
Leeds again jumped on the competition early, scoring five runs in the first inning and then adding two more in the second and three in the fourth. Machen struck out the side to end the game.
Leeds will play at 4 p.m. on Thursday for the 5A Area 10 championship.