03/28/2024
Spread the love

By John Clark

BLADENBORO – Sophomore Jordyn Christopher pitched a 5-hitter, and senior Lainey Hughes slugged a pair of solo home runs as Midway defeated West Bladen 8-1 Friday night to finish Southeastern Athletic Conference softball play with a perfect 12-0 record.

The Lady Raiders are 16-4 overall. West Bladen finished regular season play with a 10-2 SAC-7 record and 15-7 overall mark. Both teams will await the release of the NCHSAA playoff pairings.

West Bladen grabbed a quick 1-0 lead as senior Kylie Durden hammered a double to left-center field, advanced on a wild pitch and scored when senior Kaitlynn Brisson parachuted a single into short right field.

Hughes tied the game 1-1 with a 2nd inning homer over the left field fence. Hughes struck again with another homer to left that ignited a 4-run 4th inning. Christopher drew a 2-out walk, and McKenzie Williams singled to left.

Sophomore Eva McLamb drove in Veronica Tart, the courtesy runner for Christopher, with a single to center field. Senior Jaycie Byrd laced a single to center that scored Williams, and Samantha Carter’s infield hit plated McLamb for a 5-1 Midway lead.

The Lady Knights loaded the bases with 2 out in the 4th on walks to freshman Brenna Hester and sophomore Holland Davis and senior Madison Taylor’s single to center field, but a ground-out ended the inning.

Christopher smashed a double to start the Midway 7th inning, and a pair of Lady Knight errors plated Tart, the courtesy runner for Christopher. Byrd pounded a triple to center field that scored Williams and McLamb.

Chadwick and Durden slammed doubles to lead the Lady Knight hitters. Brisson, Davis and Taylor added singles. Durden scored a run, and Brisson had an RBI.

Chadwick started in the circle and pitched 3.2 innings allowing 5 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. Taylor worked 2.2 innings of relief and gave up 3 unearned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2. Durden retired the only 2 batters that she faced striking out one.

Hughes walloped the 2 home runs to lead the Midway hitters. Byrd batted 2-for-4 with the 2-run triple. Christopher doubled, and McLamb, Carter and Williams had 1 hit each. Williams, McLamb and Tart scored 2 runs each. Carter and McLamb had 1 RBI each.

Midway            010 400 3 — 8-8-0
West Bladen  100 000 0 — 1-5-4

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