Week ending April 19

Arnold delivers in epic MHS/WB showdown

It can’t be the easiest thing to get a scholarship offer from a school like Tennessee, what with everyone expecting you to be Superman or Wonder Woman every time out.

Lady Rebel junior Caylan Arnold awaits the inning’s next batter Thursday.

Maryville junior Caylan Arnold, the Barley’s/Blount Press Row Player of the Week, met and beat back those expectations in impressive fashion in a 2-1 win over William Blount on Thursday.

The Lady Rebel standout and Lady Vols commitment crafted a one-hitter in the pitching circle on 15 strikeouts, lifting Maryville atop the District 4AAA standings. Arnold was perfect through 3 2/3 innings, collecting eight of the 11 outs by strikeout. The Lady Governors boarded four base runners, three on Lady Rebel errors on the infield, as Arnold, fanning the side to start the game, retired at least two by strikeout in every inning.

The lone William Blount run was unearned.

In the Lady Rebel sixth, Arnold’s two-run homer to right center, with Hannah Rines aboard, provided the winning margin.

“There’s so much pressure in this game I just try to keep myself calm,” Arnold said. “My parents have always taught me to be as humble as I possibly can. Just because I’m going to UT doesn’t mean I’m perfect.”

Cementing Arnold’s player of the week selection was a gem thrown by William Blount lefty Erin Hill, who worked a shutout through five innings en route to finishing with a four-hitter. To win when the competition is putting up that kind of fight is restaurant quality.