Lady Jags Softball tops Decatur, 7-2
After dropping an earlier game to Curry High School in the Hillcrest Invitational at Bowers Park, the Lady Jags bounced back with a win over the Decatur Lady Red Raiders in their second game of the day. Leading by one after three and a half innings, the Lady Jags lit up the scoreboard with four runs in the bottom of the fourth and shut down the Lady Raiders in the top of the fifth, for the 7-2 victory.
Decatur jumped out to a 2-run lead in the top of the first inning. However, the Lady Jags scored three in the bottom half to take a 3-2 lead. Madelyn Abston drew a walk and Mary Hayes Henderson followed with a double, which scored Abston who had stolen second. Next up, Anna Cate Henderson reached on an error by Decatur and advanced to second. That play also allowed Mary Hayes Henderson to score the Lady Jags’ second run. Another Decatur error allowed Shelby Savage to reach base and Mills Hitchner (courtesy runner for Anna Cate Henderson) to score from second. The Lady Jags ended the first inning leading 3-2.
Both teams’ bats cooled off in the second and third innings. The Lady Jags warmed back up and scored four in the bottom of the fourth, after holding the Lady Raiders off the board in the top of the inning. The Lady Jags used the bunt to perfection in the bottom of the fourth. Savage led off the inning with a bunt to reach first base. A bunt to third from Sarah Copeland advanced Savage to second, with Copeland reaching first. Avery Vick sacrificed to move Savage and Copeland to third and second, respectively. Next, Lily Feely ripped a triple to left center, scoring Savage and Copeland and giving the Lady Jags a 5-2 lead.
Reed came to the plate next and placed a single into left field and reached second on a error. Feely scored on the play. After Reed stole third, Abston sacrificed to allow Reed to score from third, which rounded out the scoring for the Lady Jags.
A fly out and two put-out grounders ended the night for the Lady Red Raiders, giving the Lady Jags the 7-2 victory.
Reed led the Lady Jags at the plate, going 2-for-3. Mary Hayes Henderson, Savage, Copeland and Feely added one hit each. Feely collected two RBIs, with Reed, Abston and Mary Hayes Henderson tallying one RBI each. Reed, Abston, Mary Hayes Henderson, Hitchner, Savage, Copeland and Feely scored one run each for the Lady Jags.
Anna Cate Henderson notched a complete game for the Lady Jags, facing 20 batters, striking out two while allowing four hits and only two runs.
The Lady Jags will play again tomorrow at Bowers Park. Game time is not available at this time.
