Grayson claims key MED win

 INDEPENDENCE –– Grayson County cleared a big early hurdle in its Mountain Empire District baseball schedule, holding off Fort Chiswell 7-6 Friday at GNB Park.

The Blue Devils (3-6 overall, 2-0 district) led 7-4 when the Pioneers made a charge in the top of the sixth, scoring twice and loading the bases with one out before a 4-6-3 double play ended the threat. Matt Cornett retired the side in the top of the seventh for the complete game win.

Grayson County trailed 4-1 before scoring four in the bottom of the third. Two hit batters and doubles by Cornett and Johnny Warren tied the game, and Warren scored the go-ahead run on Ty Cannaday’s sacrifice fly.

Cornett had two of Grayson’s seven hits.

Carroll County 5, Christiansburg 4 (12 inn.): Cody Thompson singled home what would prove to be the winning run in the top of the 12th inning, and Brandon Lineberry pitched seven innings in relief as the Cavaliers took a marathon nondistrict win Monday in Christiansburg.

Garrett Nelson homered to lead off a three-run second inning for Carroll, which led 4-2 after five innings, but the Blue Demons forced extra innings with single runs in the sixth and seventh. Christiansburg had the bases loaded in the ninth but came away empty, and Lineberry allowed just one baserunner the final three innings.

The Cavaliers left runners at the corners in the 11th before coming through in the 12th. Nelson reached on an error and Josh Underwood was hit by a pitch before Thompson provided the game-winner. Thompson and Nelson were both 3-for-6 and Logan Hodges added two hits.

SOFTBALL

Grayson County 12, Fort Chiswell 1: Taylor Hale had two hits, including a solo home run, as the Blue Devils opened MED play with a six-inning win Friday in Independence.

Hayley Lawrence and Sarah Eller had two hits and two RBIs apiece. Eller was also the winning pitcher, allowing three hits, striking out seven.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Galax 5, Graham 4: The Maroon Tide won two of the three doubles matches to edge the G-Girls for a big MED win Thursday in Galax.

Joyce Kuang, Claire Engelhardt and Susan Davis earned singles wins for Galax, which went into doubles play tied 3-3 in the team standings. Kuang and Engelhardt topped Nicole Gabe and Cyma Mounzer 8-2 at No. 1 doubles, and the team of Davis and Paige Hanks defeated Rebecca Day and Caitlin Williams 9-7 at No. 2 doubles.

BOYS’ TENNIS

Galax 8, Graham 1: The Tide picked up five wins in singles play and coasted to the MED win Thursday in Bluefield.

Dylan Taylor, Kenley Adams, Ty Cornett, Jacob Patton and Zack Marshall were winners for Galax (7-0 overall, 1-0 MED).

BOYS’ SOCCER

Galax 3, Graham 0: The Maroon Tide opened MED play with a key win over the G-Men Thursday at the East River Soccer Complex in Bluefield.

After a scoreless first half, Andres Flores put Galax on top to stay with a goal three minutes into the second half, and Andres Medina scored on a breakaway 10 minutes later. Luis Turcios capped the scoring for Galax midway through the half, connecting from 35 yards away.

Jacob Fisher kept Graham off the scoreboard with 15 saves.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

Graham 8, Galax 0: Jessica Woodie scored five first-half goals as the G-Girls opened MED play with a convincing win Thursday in Bluefield.

Woodie finished with six goals for Graham (5-0, 1-0). Galax dropped to 2-4.