Hamby, Dyer shine in JV win
Union defeats White 6-0 in home opener
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photos/Jared Putnam Kristin Hamby winds up for the pitch during the JV Lady Panthers 6-0 win over White County. Hamby pitched a complete game shutout, racking up eight strikeouts in the process.

The JV Lady Panthers softball team seems to be following the path laid by their varsity counterparts.

The team had an impressive outing in their opening game against White County, cruising to an easy 6-0 win thanks to hard-hitting offense, spectacular defense and dominant pitching.

Starting pitcher Kristin Hamby threw six shutout innings, allowing only four hits while striking out eight.

Hamby had plenty of run support to work with, due largely to a big night from shortstop Tori Dyer. Dyer led the offensive assault with a performance that included a triple, three RBI and two runs scored.

The game got off to a shaky start as White County threatened early, loading the bases with only one out in the first inning. However, the Lady Panthers escaped unscathed when Hamby struck out the next two batters.

In the bottom half of the inning, Dyer singled and later scored on an infield single by Hamby, getting Union on the board with a 1-0 lead.

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam In addition to Hamby's big game on the mound and Dyer's performance at the plate, the JV Lady Panthers also got a great effort in the field. Catcher Whitney Cook caught this relay throw from left fielder Haley DeBell, tagging out the runner to preserve the shutout.

The Lady Panthers wasted no time adding to that lead, as Dyer blasted a two-run triple in the second inning. She later scored on a wild pitch, raising the lead to 4-0.

In the fourth inning Haley DeBell came up with an RBI groundout that scored Rachel Pope.

The Lady Panthers scored one final run when Dyer crossed the plate on a wild pitch for the second time in the game.

Tori Dyer fouls off a pitch.