WILMINGTON – East Columbus outscored Bladen County 14-10 Monday night in the championship game of the Dixie Softball District 9 Ponytails Tournament.
“We gave up some runs early, but East Columbus hits the ball hard,” said Bladen Coach Mike Dove. “Hadley (Dove) pitched well but we had some mistakes defensively. Our girls hit the ball really hard too.”
Dove continued, “We came up short tonight, but throughout this tournament all 12 players contributed significantly! We could not have made it to the championship without all 12 girls. Each made a big play during this weekend.”
By reaching the championship game, Bladen County was already assured of a berth in the Ponytails State Tournament that begins July 7th at Town Creek.
Bladen County won the Sportsmanship Award for the District 9 Tournament that is voted on by the officials and tournament directors.
After East Columbus went up 3-0, Bladen County rallied to tie the score 3-3 in the home 1st. Maycee Kinlaw was hit by a pitch, and Hadley Dove slammed a double. Kenley Smeigh walked, Brissa Matheson was hit by a pitch and Ryleigh Miller lined a single to center field. Kinlaw, Dove and Smeigh all scored.
East Columbus took a 9-3 lead in the 3rd, but Bladen answered with 4 runs in the home 3rd. Kinlaw and Dove ripped doubles to start the inning. Smeigh was hit by a pitch, and Matheson, Miller, Adyson Carroll and Bristol Allen smashed consecutive singles. Kinlaw, Dove, Matheson and Miller all scored to trim the margin to 9-7.
Chloe Walters led off the Bladen 4th with a single, and Dove drilled a double that scored Walters and whittled the East lead to 9-8.
East pulled away again with 5 runs in the 5th, but Smeigh walloped a triple to centerfield to start the Bladen 5th inning. Matheson pounded a double to left that scored Smeigh, and Allen laced a single to center field that plated Matheson and pulled Bladen to within 14-10.
Dove batted 3-for-3 with 3 doubles and scored 2 runs to lead the Bladen hitters. Matheson finished 2-for-2 at the plate with a double and 2 runs scored. Miller batted 2-for-2 with a run scored. Allen finished 2-for-3 at the plate. Smeigh tripled and scored 2 runs. Kinlaw doubled and scored twice. Carroll and Walters added 1 single each, and Walters scored a run.
East Columbus 306 050 — 14
Bladen County 304 120 — 10
About Author
