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The Lady Rams faced off against Reeltown at home on Tuesday and celebrated two seniors, but Valley ultimately fell to the Rebels 11-7. 

The Rams have had their share of struggles this season, but that in no way diminishes the impact that the two seniors, Nevaeh Crane and Sidney Rierson, have had on the program and the coaching staff. 

“I have been with these two particular seniors since they were in eighth grade, and they are the most positive, hardworking, kind [players],” Valley coach Madyson Messer said. “They’re great leaders. They mean a lot to this program, [and] they’ve been loyal to this program. They’re good kids. We’re definitely going to miss them when they’re gone.” 

Valley has taken its lumps this season as the team’s youth has shown at times. The Rams have been forced to start seventh and eighth graders at multiple key positions, and those younger players have relied on Crane and Rierson to be coaches on the field. 

“Our team is very young,” Messer said. “Everybody looks to Nevaeh and Sidney to lead the team and to tell them what they’re doing wrong and what they’re doing right. They’re just like one of me out there with the girls.” 

The game was all Valley early on. Alyssa Letson got the Rams on the board as she reached on a bunt, and Amari Lowe scored on an error. Mackenzie Atkins then gave Valley a commanding lead with a two-run home run to cap the bottom of the first inning. 

Reeltown came roaring back in the top of the third inning as two runs scored on a double before an RBI single tied the game at three, and one last single gave the Rebels a 4-3 lead. 

Valley rallied in the bottom of the third inning as Crane drove Letson home with a sacrifice fly. Things started to unravel for the Rams in the top of the fifth inning. 

Reeltown pushed the lead to 6-4 as an error on a routine ground ball scored two runs. A single added the final run of the inning. 

The Rams continued to Rally in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lowe drove in Reese Riley with a single, but Reeltown took complete control of the game in the top of the seventh. Another run scored on an error before two singles gave the Rebels an 11-5 lead. 

Valley continued to fight as Letson drove in Rierson and Lowe home with a single, but it was too little too late for the Rams. 

Reese Riley got the start on the mound for Valley and allowed nine hits, five walks and seven earned runs while striking out six batters. The defense struggled behind Riley as Valley finished with six errors. 

Letson and Lowe led the Rams at the plate. Lowe went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI while Letson went 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. 

The loss dropped the Lady Rams to 3-17 on the season. Valley is set to be back in action on Wednesday at home against Randolph County.