Primetime 585 Spotlight Team: Avon softball
On Tuesday, the Riverhawks faced Geneseo in a highly anticipated pitchers duel between Avon's Jessie Crye and Geneseo's Addie McDonald.
Avon came out on top, as Crye threw a one-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts.
Crye also led her team to the win at the plate, leading off the fourth inning with a triple. She then scored the game's only run on a sacrifice fly by Rylie Miller. Miller is batting .346 with nine RBIs.
Avon locked it down on defense, highlighted by a diving catch from right fielder Caroline Hayes to help preserve the win.
Catcher Abby Schutz made an impact behind the plate and is also batting .370 this season.
Infielder Payton Rice was a force at shortstop and has a .357 batting average.
'They did a great job today, first of all, and I think I said to them, this is one of the best defensive games I've seen them play in probably a couple years,' head coach Jill Terry said. 'The girls put the ball in play, that's what we need to do on offense. Defense, we back up our pitcher.'
Crye's had a dominant year on the mound. She has 113 strikeouts and has given up just 19 hits this season. Over her career, she has 772 strikeouts.
The junior also dominates at the plate, batting an impressive .609 with 17 RBIs.
'There's so many good teams out there, but I feel like our defense, I don't feel that pressure on the mound,' Crye said. 'I know that my girls got my back, and if I keep pitching, I know they have me.'
The team's camaraderie and trust in each other might just be the reason for their 9-0 season.
'We all have each other's backs, I think we're a very well-rounded team,' Hayes said. 'Especially on defense, we can all do a job.'
Congratulations to Coach Terry and the Avon Riverhawks for earning the Primetime 585 Team of the Week!
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