No. 9 hitter lifts Foothill softball over Silverado

Amy Austin isn't the typical No. 9 hitter.

In a spot normally reserved for a weaker hitter on a softball team, the Foothill catcher is thriving.

And she's showing opponents she's anything but weak.

"A lot of teams think the No. 9 hitter can't hit," Austin said. "I really like hitting there because a lot of teams take it for granted."

Austin went 2-for-3 and drove in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning of the Falcons' 5-2 win over Silverado (8-8, 4-1 Southeast) on Wednesday, helping the Falcons (11-3, 4-0) take sole possession of the league lead.

"The last couple of games she has really come through with some nice hard hits," Foothill coach Tom Mayes said. "A lot of teams try to hide people in that spot in the lineup. She can hit. All we want her to do is put the bat on the ball."

With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth, Austin, who reached on an error and singled in her first two at-bats, came up with runners on first and third and no outs.

She fell behind 0-2, fouled off a pitch, then laced a single into right-center to score Kylee Taylor with the go-ahead run.

"I was waiting for that nice outside pitch, and right when she threw it to me, wow," Austin said. "She threw it where I wanted it."

Taylor began the inning with a double to the gap in right-center and moved to third on Lakeisha Guidry's bunt single.

Myranda Mortel followed with a two-run single, giving the Falcons a three-run cushion.

It was more than enough for senior pitcher Shelbie Medrano, who tossed a four-hitter and struck out eight on 91 pitches. Both Silverado runs were unearned.

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.