Nova Smith Hits Two Home Runs in JH Hawk Win; Hannah Arndt Slide Sparks Rally

Nova Smith had a big day for Gilman City's junior high squad, hitting two home runs in the Hawks' 14-3 win over Pattonsburg Thursday. 

Pattonsburg got on the board first when Kiara Tucker scored on a wild pitch in the first inning to make it 1-0. 

That lead stood up until the second inning, when Emmery Smith reached on an error for the Hawks. Reagan Crump forced her at second, but Hannah Arndt reached on another error. Arndt and Crump took second and third on a wild pitch. Colby Robertson and Mallory Chalfant walked to force in a run to make it 1-1-. Hannah Arndt came home on a wild pitch, and she made a hard takeout slide that knocked the ball away from the pitcher and she was safe to make it 2-1. That sparked the Hawks, who pulled away after that.

Nova Smith followed with a two out three run home run over the left fielder's head into the corner to make it 5-1. Carsynn Robertson and Aspen Wyatt walked and Emmery Smith singled home Robertson to make it 6-1.

Pattonsburg made a bid to get back in the game when Taylor Mason singled, and Kiara Tucker doubled to put runners on second and third. Kelsey Tucker walked to load the bases. Hawk pitcher Emmery Smith struck out the next two batters, but with two strikes on her, Kentley Plymell hit a pop fly single over first base that dropped in for a base hit as two runs score to cut the Panther deficit to 6-3.

But the rest of the game belonged to Gilman City after Colby Robertson walked, and Mallory Chalfant reached on a dropped throw as Colby went from first to third. Shaleigh Webb beat out an infield single and as the ball got away from the first baseman, Chalfant took third as Robertson scored to make it 7-3. Chalfant scored on a wild pitch as Webb took second. Nova Smith hit a carbon copy of her first home run, a long drive to the left field wall, and circled the bases for a two-run home run to make it 10-3. Carsynn Robertson walked, and Aspen Wyatt was plunked. Emmery Smith singled home Carsynn Robertson, and Wyatt took second. Smith and Wyatt took second and third on a wild pitch. Reagan Crump crushed one to Panther shortstop Kiara Tucker, who made a great catch for an out. But Hannah Arndt walked, and Wyatt scored on a wild pitch, putting Arndt on second and Smith on third. Colby Robertson hit a pop fly that was uncalled and dropped, scoring Smith to make it 13-3. Arndt came home on a wild pitch to make it 14-3 before time was called.