RED SPRINGS – East Bladen pounded out 16 hits, drew 13 walks and broke the game completely open with a 9-run 5th inning as the Lady Eagles rolled past Red Springs 23-5 Friday night in Southeastern Athletic Conference softball action.
The Lady Eagles built leads of 4-0, 12-3 and 14-4 prior to the 5th inning explosion. Junior Karli Priest pitched a 4-hitter for East Bladen, struck out 6 batters and walked two. Only 3 of the Red Springs runs were earned.
Junior catcher AnnaGrey Heustess batted 3-for-4 with a double and drove in 5 runs. Freshman Martha Simmons finished 3-for-4 at the plate with 4 runs scored and 2 runs batted in. Priest was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with 3 runs scored, 2 walks and 2 RBIs.
Junior Emma Turbeville batted a perfect 2-for-2 with 3 walks, 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Senior Mariah Smith finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a walk, 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Junior Laura Davisson walloped a 3-run home run, walked and scored twice.
Junior Maegan Burney and freshman Mollie Tolar added 1 hit each. Freshman Gabriella Bray scored 3 runs. Burney, Tolar and freshman Mary Frances Sutton scored 2 runs each. Bray had an RBI.
Hits by Simmons, Priest, Heustess, Burney and Tolar keyed the East Bladen 4-run 1st inning. Priest and Smith cracked 2nd inning singles as the lead grew to 6-3. A Simmons single and Davisson’s 3-run homer highlighted the 6-run Lady Eagle 3rd inning.
Simmons singled home a run in the fourth, and 2 errors, 4 walks, singles by Turbeville and Smith preceded Heustess’ double to right-center field that capped the 9-run fifth.
Senior Le’Ani Johnson blasted a 2-run homer in the 1st inning for the Lady Red Devils and finished 2-for-3 at the plate. Senior Amari McLean tripled ahead of Johnson’s homer, and senior Anyla Hunt doubled and scored.
Coach Chris Davisson’s Lady Eagles improved to 4-2 in SAC-7 play and 6-6 overall. East Bladen will travel to St. Pauls Tuesday for a 6 p.m. game.
East Bladen 426 29 -23-16-3
Red Springs 301 01- 5 – 4-4
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