03/27/2024
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SHALLOTTE – East Bladen jumped in front 9-0 early then survived a couple of rallies from the host West Brunswick team to claim a 10-9 victory Tuesday in the Spring Break Softball Tournament.

Coach Chris Davisson’s Lady Eagles improved to 6-9 with the victory and will play South Columbus Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the tourney’s 5th place game. South Columbus defeated North Brunswick 9-2 Tuesday.

East senior Karli Priest was hit by a pitch to start the game, and freshman Cabria Baldwin rapped a single to center field. Priest was retired on senior Laura Davisson’s fielder’s choice, but freshman Niyah Wooten laced a single to center to load the bases.

Freshman Jenna Brice slammed a double to left-center field that scored Baldwin and Davisson, and sophomore Martha Simmons swatted a single to right that plated Wooten for a 3-0 Lady Eagle lead.

Sophomore Mollie Tolar cracked a single to center field to start the East 2nd inning. Priest reached on an error that scored Tolar. Baldwin scorched another single to center field, and Davisson poked a single to right.

Brice knocked in Baldwin and Davisson with a single to right-center field, and Simmons smoked a single to center field. Sophomore Gabriella Bray ripped a double to left that scored Brice and Simmons and stretched the Lady Eagle lead to 9-0.

The Lady Trojans bunched singles by Ava Caison and Chloe Ward, 2 walks and an error to score 5 runs in the home half of the 2nd. An error and Caison’s RBI single produced another West run in the 3rd inning. Caison reached on an error and scored another run in the 5th inning to close the gap to 9-7.

With one out in the East Bladen 7th inning, Simmons belted another single to center field. Bray reached on an error, and Tolar walked. Senior AnnaGrey Heustess’ fielder’s choice plated Simmons with an insurance run to up the count to 10-7.

That run was big as Caison walloped a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 7th inning. After another Ward single, Priest retired the final 2 batters on a strikeout and a pop fly to end the game.

Davisson and Priest split the pitching duties with Davisson starting in the circle. The two combined to strike out 6 batters, walk 3 and allow 9 runs – 3 earned – on 8 hits.

Simmons batted a perfect 4-for-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored to lead the Lady Eagle hitters. Brice finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, 4 RBIs and a run scored. Baldwin was also 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored. Bray smashed a 2-run double. Davisson, Wooten and Tolar added 1 hit each. Priest, Davisson, Wooten and Tolar scored runs, and Heustess and Priest had RBIs.

Caison batted 3-for-4 with a home run, 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored to lead the Lady Trojans. Ward and Hailey Woodard both finished 2-for-4 at the plate.

East Bladen          360 000 1 — 10-12-4
West Brunswick  051 010 2 —   9-  8-2

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