GAYLESVILLE – Coming off a one-run, extra-inning loss at Collinsville on Tuesday, the Gaylesville Lady Trojans were determined to put that game behind them.

They did so in a big way on Thursday.

Patience at the plate was the order of the day for the Class 1A, No. 9 Lady Trojans. They drew 12 walks (six in the first inning) and belted out eight hits in a 18-3 thrashing in three innings in an Area 12 rematch with Collinsville.

“Tuesday night when we played, I didn’t think they were patient and didn’t hit very well,” Gaylesville coach Sandi Wheeling said. “Tonight, I thought they showed a lot of patience and came through with the big hits at the right time.”

Olivia Matthews belted a two-run homer to center in the12-run first inning, her second of the season. Leadoff batter and pitcher Katlin Hammett led the Lady Trojans (13-5, 5-2) by going 3 for 3 with a double, a walk and two RBI.

Krysta Nichols added a double, drove in two runs and had a walk. Amber Moseley had a pair of hits, a walk and a RBI. Kim Couch added a single.

Hammett earned the win in the circle after giving up three runs on five hits with a pair of walks and a pair of strikeouts.

“You have a better feeling when you have a lead, knowing it’s not just on your shoulders and you have to get everything just perfect,” Hammett said. “Everybody just came to hit today. When everybody relaxes, we do way better offensively and defensively.”

Moseley said sometimes the Lady Trojans are little impatient at the plate, as was the case against Collinsville (7-10, 3-3) in their last meeting. They didn’t have that problem on Thursday.

“We get two outs and we think ‘Oh my goodness, I need to get on base,’” Moseley said. “We’re a team that once one person starts hitting, everybody gets their confidence up. The more people hit, the more we keep going. The more we get pepped up, the better we do.”

Wheeling attributes the Lady Trojans’ success at the plate so far this season to hitting coach Steve Baker.

“He’s been working with them and making them better,” she said. “We’ve been hitting on the machine every day, and their hitting has gotten better.”

Clair Cox led Collinsville at the plate with a pair of singles and a RBI. Christy Cox had a RBI-double for the Lady Panthers. Annaliese Fox and Brittney Tidmore both added a single.

Gaylesville hosts rival Cedar Bluff on Tuesday in another Area 12 battle. Collinsville hosts Valley Head on Monday.