Lady Jags Softball goes down fighting to Hillcrest, 6-2

Northridge Lady Jags Softball dropped a 6-2 decision to the visiting Hillcrest Lady Patriots on Wednesday afternoon. After falling behind 4-0 in the top of the first, the Lady Jags rebounded a bit and played even with the Lady Patriots for the remainder of the game, with each team scoring two runs.

Hillcrest got off to a running start, plating four runs in the top of the first. The Lady Jags started off the bottom half with Anna Grace Reed being hit by pitch. The next two batters failed to reach base and the inning ended on a putout at second. The Lady Patriots were held in check in the top of the second. Anna Cate Henderson led off the bottom of the second by drawing a walk. A fielder’s choice took Henderson off the base path, but allowed Elliott Williams to reach first and then take second. After a fly to right failed to advance Williams, Shelby Savage drew a walk and Sarah Copeland moved everyone up one base with a single to center. Next up, Lily Feely drew a walk to score the Lady Jags first run and only run of the second inning, closing the Hillcrest lead to 4-1.

After the Lady Patriots added two runs in the top of the third, the Lady Jags had a few close calls with crossing the plate, but were unsuccessful until the bottom of the seventh. Reed led things off with a walk and was followed by Madelyn Abston’s walk. Mary Hayes Henderson sacrificed to center, allowing Reed to reach third and Abston to reach second. After an infield pop-up, Williams drove in Reed with a single to center. A ground out to second, ended any hopes of a comeback and the Lady Jags dropped the 6-2 decision.

Mary Hayes Henderson led the Lady Jags with two hits. Reed, Abston, Anna Cate Henderson, Williams and Copeland added one hit each. Reed and Copeland scored on run each. Williams and Feely were credited with one RBI each.

Mary Hayes Henderson went the distance in the circle, collecting three strikeouts.