By John Clark
ELIZABETHTOWN – Junior Olivia Watts pitched a 6-hitter and senior Alexuz Barnes and junior Brileigh Ward led a 10-hit attack that carried South Columbus to an 11-1 non-conference softball victory over East Bladen in the season-opener for both teams.
Watts struck out 5, walked 1 and allowed 1 earned run in her 5 innings in the circle. Barnes batted 2-3 with a double, 2 runs batted in and 2 runs scored. Ward slugged a solo home run in the 3rd inning. Bella Coleman also finished 2-for-3 with a run scored, and J. K. Graham batted 2-for-3 with 3 RBIs and a run scored.
Senior Laura Davisson started and pitched 3-plus innings for the Lady Eagles allowing 9 runs – 7 earned – on 7 hits, 3 walks and 2 hit batters while striking out four. Freshman Jenna Brice was credited with 2 innings in the circle allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out two.
Freshman Niyah Wooten batted 2-for-2 to lead the East Bladen hitters. Sophomore Mollie Tolar singled and scored a run. Freshman Gracey Clark singled and drove in a run. Sophomore Martha Simmons and Davisson added 1 hit each.
A double off the first baseman’s glove, 2 infield hits, another hit, a walk and an error produced 4 2nd inning runs and staked the Lady Stallions to a 4-0 lead.
Tolar looped a single over the 2nd baseman to start the Lady Eagle 2nd inning. Wooten beat out an infield hit, and Clark lined a hit off the diving left fielder’s glove that drove in Tolar.
Ward led off the South 3rd inning with a home run, and 2 hit batters, a wild pitch and an error scored another run. The Lady Stallions bunched 3 walks, 3 hits and an error for 5 more runs in the 4th inning.
East Bladen will travel to South Brunswick Wednesday for a 6 p.m. game.
South Columbus 042 50 -11-10-0
East Bladen 010 00 – 1- 6-3
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