Lady Dragon collects 13 hits against Hardin Valley in season-opening win
As the team opened the 2026 softball season, Clinton High School Coach Leonard Sams believed his players would be able to hit.
The Lady Dragons wasted little time proving him right.
Clinton pounded out 13 hits in a 12-1 road victory over Hardin Valley Academy in Northwest Knox County in its season opener Tuesday, March 3. The game was called after five innings due to the TSSAA mercy rule.
“We had an approach at the plate and we got on her early and we didn’t let her get deep in the count, and that worked,” Sams said. “And we hit the ball well pretty much up and down the lineup.”
The Lady Dragons showcased a potent attack and received a stellar performance from leadoff hitter Sara Bishop.
Bishop, a junior, went 4-for-4, scored four runs and drove in two more. She also had two doubles and stole two bases.
Bryana Holt went 2-for-3 with a triple. She had an RBI and scored a run for the Lady Dragons, who jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Mandy Chambers had a hit and two RBIs while scoring twice.
Tegan Bunch finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Elizabeth Graham singled and scored.
Pitcher Elizabeth Maples hurled a five-inning complete game. She allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out nine Hardin Valley hitters. She also contributed at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two RBIs.
The Lady Dragons made their first road trip of the new season later Tuesday and came up on the short end of a 7-3 decision against Grace Christian Academy.
Clinton (1-1) hit the ball well but couldn’t overcome shaky defense, committing six errors against the Lady Rams, one of the area’s top Division II-A programs.
“We’re playing all the top (Class) 4A teams and we played Grace and they’re a good Division II team,” Sams said. “Our preseason schedule and our nonconference schedule are tough.
“We outhit (Grace), but we had some errors.”
Offensively against the Lady Rams, Graham had two hits, including a double. Holt went 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored a run, while Bishop doubled, drove in a run and scored.
