Christina Ezell received quite a scare during East Coweta’s practice Monday, taking a line drive off her face that broke a bone and knocked out one of her teeth.

The injuries, though, couldn’t prevent Ezell on Tuesday from doing what does best — pitching.

Wearing a mask to protect her injuries, Ezell turned in one of her best performances of the season, pitching a one-hitter and hitting a three-run triple in ninth-ranked East Coweta’s 8-0 six-inning victory over rival Newnan in the teams’ final Region 4-AAAAA game of the season.

East Coweta coach Franklin Deloach had nothing but glowing praise for Ezell.

“Christina is the best all-around softball player that I have coached,” Deloach said. “She will make any team that she plays on better and those around her better. Watching her last night pitch and play showed one of the highest forms of bravery that I probably have ever witnessed as a coach. Truthfully, I really cannot say enough about her.

“She is a pleasure to coach and a great softball player. I am very privileged to have the opportunity to coach her.”

Ezell and Newnan’s Kayla Vallery put on an impressive pitching display through the first four innings, not allowing any runs.

East Coweta finally got to Vallery in the bottom of the fifth.

K.C. Mack walked, and Shirley Daniels and Haley Parkerson reached on back-to-back singles.

Then Ezell delivered a clutch hit, a three-run triple to right field that put East Coweta in front 3-0.

East Coweta’s added two more runs in the inning: one on a single by Nikki Rainey, another on a single by Alison Owen.

The Lady Indians scored three runs in the sixth to bring the game-ending mercy rule into effect.

Rainey hit a two-run single, and Rebecca Creswell drove in East Coweta’s final run with a groundout.

The only hit Ezell allowed was a sixth-inning by Molly Garmany.

Ezell struck out 11 to record the victory. She has been a strikeout-throwing machine for East Coweta, totaling 130 on the season. Ezell is now 10-1.

East Coweta (20-5-1) came back the next day and beat Luella 5-1 Wednesday. The Lady Indians were slated to play Hardaway on the road Thursday, before the region tournament starts next week.

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