Owen bats power three-game winning streak

Warlassies remain undefeated in conference with 13-0 victory over Avery County

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
April 9, 2025

An 11-run third inning powered the Warlassies to a 13-0 victory, April 9, in a home matchup against Avery County.

The win was Owen’s third straight during a streak in which the Western Highlands Conference’s top team has outscored its opponents by a combined total of 42-4.

The Warlassies entered the contest against the Vikings less than 24 hours after defeating Mitchell, 18-3. They dispatched Draughn, April 4, in an 11-1 outing.

Junior Elly Wright made her season debut in the pitcher’s circle, striking out 8 batters in 5 innings. Her contribution at the plate came in the third inning when she drove in three runs with her second home run of the season.

Wright was one of seven Warlassies to register an RBI against Avery. Senior Sophie Neal and sophomore Hannah Norton each recorded 2.

The victory was Owen’s fifth in their last six contest, as the team improved to 10-3.

“The girls have been focused and they’re adjusting to pitchers and putting the ball in play,” head coach Pete Ledford said. “Tonight, it took them a few innings to lock in, but once they did they really got going.”

The Warlassies scored 2 runs in the first inning before stranding runners on second and third in a scoreless second. Aggressive baserunning and timely hitting were the keys to an overpowering third inning.

Owen will travel to Bakersville, at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, April 10, to face Mitchell. The game will be their last before an 11-day spring break.

“They need to stay focused in put in some work while they’re on break because we have a tough game against Robbinsville as soon as we get back,” Ledford said. “We just want them to stay loose, and if they have a chance to go out and get some swings in and have fun, then do it.”

Photos of Owen’s victory over Avery can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.