Cascade's Leigha Carter barely beats a throw to third base in the fifth inning against Boyd Christian. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Two of the top pitchers in District 9-A went head to head on Monday afternoon in Wartrace and neither disappointed by allowing a total of three hits between them.

Cascade's Leigha Carter carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. A leadoff single by Leah Walker ended the bid for perfection and Boyd Christian plated two runs in their last at-bat, but it wasn't enough and the Lady Champions squeaked out a 3-2 win.

"In the seventh inning, the defense got a little lax," Lady Champion coach Jeremy Austin said. "Against a real good team that puts the ball in play that's going to hurt you and cost you the game."

Carter struck out six and allowed but one walk in her complete-game performance.

Cassie Wanamaker was equally as dominant for the Lady Broncos. A fifth-inning double by Kathleen Lohay was all that stood between the right-hander and a no-no.

Wanamaker fanned 12 and issued six free passes in six innings of work.

Cascade (6-3, 4-1 9-A) showed the rust of taking five days off for spring break but there's no such thing as an ugly 'W'.

"Early, we came out and played defense fair," Austin said. "We didn't hit the ball good all day long. We're still a long way from where we need to be.

"I don't know if we overlooked the competition or it's just coming back from spring break not being ready to play. If we don't get headed back on the right track, it's going to be a long season from here on out."

Lady Champion junior Tiffany Gibbs gets plunked in the hip. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Lohay's two-bagger sparked a two-out rally in the fifth. Lauren Claxton followed with a walk and Tiffany Gibbs took a ball off her hip to load the bases. Carter then reached via an error and pushed Lohay across the plate with the game's first run. Mary Jett worked a free pass to drive in Claxton. Another defensive miscue off a ball hit by Laura Jett brought Gibbs home.

Cascade is back at home today for a doubleheader against neighboring Webb. The first pitch of the opener is scheduled for 4 p.m. Forrest and Eagleville pop up on the district schedule on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

"Coming out of this week, if we play the ball we're capable of playing, it will set up the 1-2-3 spots heading into the district tournament. All in all, it's going to be a big district week for us," Austin said.