BLADENBORO – Sophomore Shelby Pharr pitched a seven-hit shutout and struck out five batters to lead West Bladen to a 3-0 Three Rivers Conference softball victory over East Bladen Saturday.
“Shelby did a good job for us,” said West Bladen Coach Pam Stephens. “She had to throw a lot of pitches today.” Pharr had pitched six innings in an earlier game Saturday against Whiteville.
Shortstop Kyla Reed keyed the Lady Knight defense with six assists. “Kyla was on-point with her defense,” noted Coach Stephens.
Junior Alara Cashwell drilled a double to center field in the West Bladen first inning, advanced on a wild pitch and scored when freshman Hannah Pait flared a two-out single off the second baseman’s glove.
The 1-0 lead held until the Lady Knights tacked on two runs in the fifth inning. Junior Kasee Singletary beat out an infield hit, and Cashwell walked. Senior Conner Brisson reached on a bad-hop single that loaded the bases.
Hannah Pait lined a shot off Lady Eagle pitcher Kayleigh Raynor and was retired on the fielder’s choice as Singletary scored. Raynor suffered a hand injury on the play and tried to continue, but hit Alyssa Suggs with the next pitch and was relieved by sophomore Jordan Kinlaw. Pharr drew a walk that forced home Cashwell with the third West Bladen run.
The Lady Eagles put two runners on base in the first, third and seventh innings. A groundout ended the third inning with runners on second and third base.
Cashwell batted 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored to lead the Lady Knight hitters. Hannah Pait, Brisson and Singletary collected one hit each. Hannah Pait drove in two runs, and Pharr drove in one. Singletary scored a run.
Junior Johanna Parker batted 2-for-3 to lead the East Bladen hitters. Freshman Mariah Smith finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Raynor, sophomore Alyssa Futrell and junior Lorna Mendell added one hit each.
Raynor pitched 4.2 innings and was charged with three runs on five hits, two walks and two hit batters while striking out seven. Kinlaw worked the final 1.1 scoreless innings and allowed no hits, a walk and a hit batter.
“I liked our effort in the game,” said Lady Eagle Coach Chase Lancaster. “I am proud of our team.” East Bladen finished with a 7-10 record in the TRC and 7-16 overall.
With the win, West Bladen finished fourth in the league with a 9-9 record. The Lady Knights are 11-9 overall and will now have to wait for the Class 2A playoff brackets to be released Monday to see if they receive a wild card berth.
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