RAEFORD – Sophomore Tamarah Lowery slugged a 2-run home run to cap a 3-run 5th inning that propelled Hoke County to a 3-2 non-conference softball victory over West Bladen Saturday.
West Bladen led 1-0 when Nailah Quick led off the 5th with a single. Catcher Nina Cummings reached base on an error, and senior Kamryn Russell’s fielder’s choice plated Quick and tied the game. Lowery then launched her homer over the centerfield fence to put Hoke up 3-1.
Lady Knight sophomore Jessalyn Vendrick blasted a solo home run over the centerfield fence in the 6th inning that whittled the Lady Bucks lead to 3-2.
Senior Tatiana Hunt hammered a double to right-centerfield, and senior Alara Cashwell smacked a 2-out single to left in the West Bladen 7th, but both runners were stranded on base.
Hunt reached base on an error to start the game, stole 2nd base and raced home when Vendrick laced a 2-out single to right-centerfield to put West Bladen up 1-0.
Vendrick batted 2-4 with the home run, 2 runs batted in and a run scored to lead the Lady Knight hitters. Hunt slammed 2 doubles and scored a run. Cashwell, sophomore Hannah Pait, senior Kasee Singletary, and freshman Mackenzie Singletary connected for one hit each.
Freshman Rylee Chadwick pitched a 3-hitter and struck out 6 batters for West Bladen, but allowed 5 walks and a hit batter. All 3 Hoke runs were unearned.
Lowery’s 2-run homer led the Lady Bucks’ attack. Russell cracked the rbi double and scattered 8 hits to pick up the pitching victory.
The Lady Knights, now 1-1, will travel to Fairmont Monday night at 6:30 for their Three Rivers Conference opener.
West Bladen 100 001 0 – 2-8-1
Hoke County 000 030 x – 3-3-3
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