ELIZABETHTOWN – East Bladen’s Lady Eagles took the lead with 3 runs in the fourth inning and shutout St. Pauls over the final 3 innings to claim their first win of the season 9-7 in non-conference softball action Wednesday night.
After the Lady Bulldogs edged ahead 7-6 in the top of the fourth inning, freshman Abby Cross walked to start the bottom of the fourth. Junior Faith Johnson reached base as the centerfielder misplayed her drive. Senior Emily Scott’s fielder’s choice drove in a run.
Junior Kaley Smith walked, freshman Johanna Parker was hit by a pitch, freshman Izzy Smith walked, and Majesty Corbett was hit by a pitch to force home Kaley Smith with the final East Bladen run. Cross and Johnson scored the first 2 runs of the inning.
Winning pitcher Kaley Smith pitched all 7 innings and allowed 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out four. The East Bladen defense faced only ten batters over the final 3 innings.
“We settled down in the fifth inning and made our plays for the win,” said Lady Eagle Coach Patty Evers.
Cross and Johnson drew walks to start the East Bladen first inning and eventually scored. Scott belted a single, and Kaley Smith walked. Both of them later scored as the Lady Eagles took a 4-0 lead.
St. Pauls capitalized on 2 errors and Heather Jacobs’ triple to score 3 runs and trim the East lead to 4-3 in the second inning.
Cross walked and Johnson smacked a single in the East Bladen second inning. After Scott reached on a fielder’s choice, Kaley Smith delivered a single that plated Cross and Scott and grew the lead to 6-3.
A walk, an error and Victoria Gooden’s double plated 3 more runs in the third as the Lady Bulldogs tied the game 6-6. Pitcher Danielle Gray tripled and scored the go-ahead run for St. Pauls in the top of the fourth.
Kaley Smith batted 2-2 and scored twice to lead the Lady Eagle hitters. Scott and Johnson cracked one hit each and scored 2 runs each. Cross walked 4 times and scored 3 runs.
The Lady Eagles, now 1-1, will host Midway Friday at 6 p.m. in their Four County Conference opener.
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