ELIZABETHTOWN – East Bladen exploded for 9 runs in the 1st inning and rolled to a 14-2 Three Rivers Conference softball victory over Red Springs Thursday.
An error and Tristen Locklear’s run-scoring double produced an unearned run in the Red Springs half of the first.
Senior Kayleigh Raynor started the East Bladen 1st by launching a double over the leftfielder’s head. After sophomore Laura Davisson laced a single to left, Raynor dashed home as sophomore Emma Turbeville reached on an error. Sophomore Karli Priest’s infield hit plated Davisson.
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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong
Junior Mariah Smith’s fielder’s choice scored Turbeville, and Priest darted home on a wild pitch. Smith raced home as senior Alyssa Futrell reached base on an error. Sophomore Maegan Burney beat out a bunt single, and senior Carlie West belted a single to left. Senior Jordan Kinlaw knocked in Futrell and Burney with a single to centerfield.
Raynor reached base as West and Kinlaw were retired. Davisson smacked a single to left-centerfield, and Turbeville smashed a double to left that brought home Raynor and Davisson to pad the Lady Eagle lead to 9-1.
East Bladen stretched the lead to 10-1 in the 2nd as Burney walked and scooted home when West ripped a double down the leftfield line.
The Lady Red Devils loaded the bases in the 3rd inning on Katelyn Locklear’s single, an error and a walk. Catcher’s interference forced home Katelyn Locklear and trimmed the lead to 10-2.
The Lady Eagles added 4 more runs in the fifth. Futrell walloped a double to right-centerfield, advanced on an error and sprinted home on Burney’s bunt single. West reached base on a fielder’s choice, and an error on the play scored Burney. Raynor reached base on a fielder’s choice, and an error on the play scored West and sent Raynor to 2nd base. Davisson drove in Raynor with a single to center.
Davisson batted 3-for-4 with a double, 2 runs scored and a run batted in. Burney finished 2-for-2 at the plate with 3 runs scored and an RBI. West batted 2-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Raynor, Futrell and Turbeville slammed doubles. Futrell scored 2 runs, Raynor scored 3 runs and Turbeville had 2 RBIs and a run scored.
Kinlaw delivered the 2-run single. Priest and Smith finished with one hit each, one RBI each and both of them scored runs.
Davisson pitched a 5-hitter and allowed 2 unearned runs on 2 walks and a hit batter while striking out one.
Katelyn Locklear batted 2-for-3 to lead the Red Springs hitters. Tristen Locklear doubled home a run.
Coach Chris Davisson’s Lady Eagles improved to 2-1 in league play and will travel to West Columbus for a double-header Tuesday at 4:30.