Big-time Layers make big-time plays: Back-to-back doubles spark Pioneer’s upset of Tri-County

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Softball

Lois Layer

Pioneer 4, Tri-County 2 (Tuesday): Averi Layer and Lois Layer had back-to-back two-out RBI doubles in the top of the fifth to break a 2-2 tie, and Lois Layer pitched a two-hitter with one walk and five strikeouts for No. 14 Pioneer in an upset win over No. 4 Tri-County in a Class 1A, Sectional 50 quarterfinal at North White Tuesday.

Ava Ott had a two-run single in the top of the fourth to give the Lady Panthers a 2-1 lead. Averi Layer finished with two hits, and Hallie Lebo and Addison Kennell also had hits.

Tri-County tied the game 2-2 when Grace Tyler scored on an error in the bottom of the fourth.

Lebo led off the fifth with a single. Three batters later, she stole second. Averi Layer pulled a double to left to score Lebo, and Lois Layer followed with another double to score Averi Layer.

Lois Layer retired 10 of the last 11 batters she faced. She walked Madilyn Nevitt with two outs in the sixth but got Reese Johnson to fly out to Madyson Shaffer in center and then retired the side in order in the seventh.

She also retired the side in order in the third and the fifth.

Tri-County came in averaging 9.8 runs per game and with a team batting average of over .380.

Pioneer will play North Newton in the semifinals. North Newton eliminated Caston 10-4 in Tuesday’s other quarterfinal.

Pioneer 4, Tri-County 2

Pioneer 000 220 0 – 4 6 2

Tri-County 010 100 0 – 2 2 0

WP – Lois Layer (7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K)

LP – Nevitt (4 ⅔ IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)

2B – Averi Layer (PIO), Lois Layer (PIO), Tyler (T-C)