Madison Taylor pitched a 4-hitter and struck out ten batters to lead the Sandpipers to an 11-4 victory over the Racers in Bladen Recreation 11-12 Softball actionTuesday night at County Park.
The Sandpipers jumped in front in the top of the first when Alexus Mitchell slapped a single and eventually stole home for a 1-0 lead.
Zoe Smith was hit by a pitch to begin the Racer first. Emma Turbeville knocked her in with a single to leftfield. Hannah Cole smacked a single that scored Turbeville and put the Racers up 2-1.
The Sandpipers answered with 2 runs in the second. Walks to Stacey Gomez and Briley Stanley and a single by Lauren Council loaded the bases. Alyssa Strickland’s fielder’s choice plated Gomez, Luz Ramos cracked a single that scored Stanley for a 3-2 Sandpiper lead.
Back came the Racers in the third inning as Mary Katelyn Lennon walked and Trinity Ross was hit by a pitch. Turbeville connected for a single that scored Lennon and Ross and vaulted the Racers ahead 4-3.
AnnaGrey Heustess beat out a bunt single to begin the Sandpiper fourth. Taylor blasted a ground-rule double to right-centerfield that scored Heustess. Gomez hammered a triple to centerfield that drove in Taylor. Council belted a single that scored Gomez.
Stanley followed with a single, and Ramos, Kayla Norris and Trinity Meares drew walks that forced home Council and Stanley and pushed the Sandpipers in front 8-4.
Mitchell led off the Sandpiper fifth with a single, and Ashlyn Williams and Heustess drew walks. Gomez and Stanley were hit by pitches that forced home Mitchell and Williams. Heustess later scored to pad the lead to 11-4.
Mitchell batted 2-2 to lead the Sandpiper hitters. Council finished 2-3 at the plate. Council slammed the triple, and Taylor pounded the double. Heustess, Stanley and Ramos added one hit each for the winners.
Turbeville batted 2-2 to lead the Racers. Kailey Heath walloped a triple and Hannah Cole added a single.
Karli Priest started in the circle for the Racers and pitched 3-plus innings allowing 6 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks while striking out six. Amber Jones relieved in the fourth and worked 2 innings, giving up 5 runs on 3 hits, 5 walks and 2 hit batters while striking out four.
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