Erin McBee poses with her father Alvin McBee. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

McBee made her first-ever start at catcher and promptly reached base three times, leading to three runs scored by courtesy runner Fatima Murillo. Hale played a solid right field and gave up her spot in the batting order for rehabbing Sara Edwards, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

"I had two good seniors for first-year seniors," Cascade coach Jeremy Austin said. "Erin came through with a hit for us late in the game. It was a great way to send them out in front of the home fans.

"It's sad to see your last home game played unless you come out of the district No. 1."

Emily Hale pauses for a photo with her mother Mitzi Bebee and brother Braxton Bebee. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Both the Lady Champions (15-7) and Eaglettes head to Chapel Hill with the rest of the district to complete the tournament. The second-seeded Orange and Black face third-seeded Boyd Christian on Saturday at 12:30 at Forrest High School.

Cascade wasted little time dropping the hammer in this one, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring five runs in the bottom of the first. Kathleen Lohay hit a two-run home run, Tiffany Gibbs tripled and Mary Jett, Lauren Claxton and Edwards all contributed singles.

The hosts put the game away in the fourth. Jett tripled to get things started and capped the six-run burst with a walk-off single that plated pinch runner Tyler Buck.

The Lady Champs totaled 15 hits. Claxton joined Jett in the three-hit department. Torey Hornberger tripled and singled.

Mary Jett poundsout one of her three base hits. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"Our girls hit the ball well all the way down through the lineup," Austin said. "The girls came out and played pretty good on defense. Van Buren put the ball in play against us."

Winning pitcher Leigha Carter (15-6) scattered four hits in the complete-game shutout. She struck out five and did not issue a walk.

Katelyn Mason took the loss for Van Buren County.