CLINTON – West Bladen exploded for 11 runs in the 1st inning and cruised to a 19-1 chilly Southeastern Athletic Conference softball victory over Clinton in the conference opener for both teams.
“It was the coldest game I have ever coached,” said Lady Knight Coach Pam Stephens.
Junior Gracie Faircloth walloped a triple, senior Kaitlynn Brisson smashed a 2-run double and freshman Kali Allen drilled a 2-run single to highlight the 11-run 1st inning that also featured 8 walks, 2 hit batters and an error.
Seven more walks resulted in 4 more Lady Knight runs in the 3rd inning. Senior Kylie Durden slugged a 2-run triple, senior Rylee Chadwick hammered a double, and Allen added a bunt single that along with 3 walks and an error produced 4 more runs in the 4th inning.
Allen finished 2-for-3 at the plate with 2 runs batted in and a run scored to lead the West hitters. Faircloth tripled, walked and scored twice. Durden tripled, walked 3 times, scored 4 runs and had 2 RBIs. Brisson doubled, walked, had 2 RBIs and a run scored.
Chadwick doubled, walked twice, was hit by a pitch and scored 2 runs. Sophomore Holland Davis singled and walked. Junior Megan Pait walked twice and scored twice. Freshman Brenna Hester walked twice and scored a run. Sophomore Marlie Walters scored twice and had 1 RBI.
Sophomore Marlene Crabtree and senior Mackenzie Singletary drew 2 walks each, and Crabtree scored a run. Freshmen Natalee Sykes and Jahyrah Priest drew walks and Priest scored a run.
Chadwick pitched 3 innings and allowed a run on 2 hits and a walk while striking out 8. Senior Madison Taylor worked a 1-2-3 4th inning in the circle with 2 strike-outs.
Junior pitcher Daria Chavis batted 2-for-2 and scored the Clinton run. Freshman Emery Johnson drove in the run with a fielder’s choice.
Coach Pam Stephens’ Lady Knights evened their record at 4-4 and will host Clinton Friday night in a rematch.
West Bladen (11)40 4 — 19-7-1
Clinton 010 0 — 1- 2-2