ELIZABETHTOWN – Winning pitcher Jenna Brice and freshman Cabria Baldwin belted 2-run singles to key a 7-run 3rd inning that rallied East Bladen to a 14-4 Southeastern Athletic Conference softball victory over Clinton Tuesday night.
Baldwin walked then stole a base to begin the pivotal 3rd inning. Senior Laura Davisson laced a single to left-center field, and Niyah Wooten walked. Brice drilled a single to left-center field that scored Baldwin and Davisson. After sophomore Martha Simmons forced Wooten at 3rd base, an error on sophomore Gabriella Bray’s grounder scored Brice and Simmons.
Sophomore Mollie Tolar laid down a sacrifice bunt and an error on senior AnnaGrey Heustess’ grounder scored Bray. Senior Karli Priest smashed a single to right-center field, before Baldwin delivered a single to right that plated Heustess and Priest and put East on top 8-4.
The Lady Eagles closed out the game with 6 runs in the 5th inning. Heustess led off with a single, Priest swatted a single to left-center field. An error on Baldwin’s grounder scored Heustess, and Priest darted home on a wild pitch.
After Davisson reached on an error and freshman Niyah Wooten walked, Brice connected for her 2nd 2-run single of the game scoring Baldwin and Davisson. Wooten raced home on a passed ball, and an error on Simmons’ grounder scored Brice with the game-ending run.
Brice, a freshman, started in the circle and pitched 3 innings allowing 4 runs – 2 earned – on 7 hits and no walks while striking out 3. Davisson worked 2 innings of perfect relief and struck out 5 batters.
Priest batted 2-for-4 with 3 runs scored. Brice finished 2-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs scored and 4 runs batted in. Baldwin cracked the 2-run single and scored a run. Davisson singled and scored twice. Heustess singled and scored twice. Simmons singled and scored a run. Bray scored a run.
Clinton scored twice in the 1stt inning on singles by freshman Carmella Carlton, senior Avery Evans and freshman Da’Niyah Coxum. Evans slugged a home run in the 3rd inning and Coxum reached on an error and scored for a 4-1 Lady Dark Horse lead.
Priest reached on an error in the Lady Eagle 1st inning and came around to score on a passed ball and Baldwin’s fielder’s choice.
Evans and Carlton both batted 2-for-3 to lead the Clinton hitters with Evans slamming the home run and scoring twice.
Coach Chris Davisson’ Lady Eagles improved to 1-2 in SAC-7 play and 3-5 overall. East Bladen will travel to Clinton Friday night.
Clinton 202 00 — 4-7-7
East Bladen 107 06 — 14-8-3
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