RAEFORD – Sophomores Kalea Parker and Bailey Moss keyed a 7-run, 5th inning explosion that propelled Hoke County to a 10-5 non-conference season-opening softball victory Tuesday over West Bladen.
Parker slammed a 2-out run-scoring double in the pivotal 5th inning that stretched a 3-2 lead to 10-2. Moss followed Parker with a 2-run triple, and sophomore Chica Amador hammered a triple that scored Moss.
West Bladen snapped a scoreless tie with a run in the 4th inning. Junior Gracie Faircloth smashed a double to right-center field and scored on senior Kaitlynn Brisson’s bunt.
Hoke answered in the home half of the inning as Parker cracked a 2-out run-scoring single, and Moss knocked in 2 more runs with a single for a 3-1 lead.
The Lady Knights trimmed the margin to 3-2 in the top of the 5th as senior Kylie Durden smacked a single, advanced on an error, stole 3rd base and scored on senior Rylee Chadwick’s grounder.
After the Hoke explosion in the home fifth, Faircloth drilled a double to right-center field and raced home when Brisson belted a single to left.
Senior Mackenzie Singletary led off the West 7th inning with a single. Courtesy runner Holland Davis stole 2nd base and scored when Chadwick laced a single to left-center field. Sophomore Marlie Walters yanked a single to left, and Chadwick scored on Brisson’s infield hit.
Brisson batted 2-for-3 with 3 runs batted in to lead the Lady Knight hitters. Faircloth slugged the 2 doubles and scored twice. Durden finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored. Chadwick, Walters, Singletary and freshman Kali Allen connected for 1 hit each. Chadwick had 2 RBIs and a run scored. Davis scored a run.
Chadwick pitched the first 4 innings then came back to pitch the sixth. She struck out 8 and allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks and a hit batter. Senior Madison Taylor worked 0.2 innings and gave up 7 runs – 0 earned – on 5 hits and a walk. Durden pitched 0.1 innings and issued 1 walk.
Senior Natalie Williams went the distance in the circle for Hoke and allowed 5 runs – 4 earned – on 10 hits, 0 walks and a hit batter while striking out five. Sophomore Alyssa Cuscaville batted 2-for-3 for Hoke. Moss was 2-for-4 with the triple and 4 RBIs. Parker finished 2-for-3 with the double and 2 RBIs.
West Bladen will host East Columbus Wednesday at 6 p.m.
West Bladen 000 111 2 – 5-10-3
Hoke County 000 370 x – 10- 9-2
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