Once, Twice, Never Thrice: Byrnes softball strikes back to beat Catawba Ridge

Kaylee Hannon celebrates hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of Byrnes’ 9-2 win over Catawba Ridge. Hannon scored three RBIs and earned the save in the win, as well.

Teams might beat Byrnes softball once. They might even get them twice. But no team takes down the Lady Rebels three times in a row.

Not if Kaylee Hannon has anything to say about it.

Hannon hit a two-run home run, batted in three runners, and even earned the save on the mound as Byrnes thwarted Catawba Ridge 9-2 on Tuesday night.

Of Byrnes’ three losses this season, the Lady Copperheads had been responsible for two of them. Hannon made sure it didn’t happen again.

“That’s my mindset coming into tonight. We don’t let anyone beat us three times in a row,” said Hannon. “The first two games this year against them, we lost both of them by one run. We’re too competitive to lose to this team a third time.”

Catawba Ridge—the reigning 4-A state champions—had just one loss coming into Tuesday night. Solid two-way play from both Hannon and junior Maddie Wiant—along with a timely 3-RBI single from senior catcher Courtney Dean in the fifth inning—helped give the Lady Copperheads their second.

Wiant pitched the game’s first four innings, allowing just one run on three hits. She also drove in two runs at the plate. Hannon stepped to the mound during the fifth inning and picked up right where Wiant left off. The junior Winthrop commit tossed the final three innings, giving up just two hits and a run.

Hannon hasn’t pitched too often this season, she said. The team saves her arm for the biggest matchups or when the Lady Rebels need a save. 

So when head coach Brandi Aiken told Hannon to get ready, she couldn’t have been more pumped.

“I literally ran and got my glove and sprinted to the mound as fast as I could,” said Hannon. “I was so happy.”

“Kaylee’s a great right-handed pitcher. She’s able to get in there and mix it up a bit with her changeup,” said Aiken. “She’s only got one or two wins this season, but she’s been huge for us when we need her to throw.”

With just a few games left before the 5-A playoffs begin, the Lady Rebels (21-3) are gearing up for another run at a state title. They advanced to the state championship series last season before falling to Summerville, 2-0. They last won state in 2021 and have won three titles since 2014.

With performances like Tuesday night’s, it’s hard to discount their chances of winning another in 2024.

“We know how talented we are, but we also know that in this sport, any team can have a day,” said Hannon. “If we take each game seriously and have high energy the whole time, we’ve got a good chance of making it far.”

GAME RECAP
Catawba Ridge
0 0 1 0 0 0 1 - 2
Byrnes
3 1 0 0 3 2 X - 9

BYRNES STAT LEADERS
Kaylee Hannon - 2-3, 3 RBI, R
Maddie Wiant - 3-3, 2 RBI, 2 R
Courtney Dean - 3-4, 3 RBI
Addy Waters - 2-4, RBI, R

Winning Pitcher: Maddie Wiant - 4 IP, 3 H, R, K
Save: Kaylee Hannon -
3 IP, 2 H, R, 2 BB, 2 K