HOPE MILLS — The Lady Scots softball team wrapped its Spring Break with a trip to Hope Mills to compete in the two-day Gray’s Creek Bear Invitational.

The Lady Scots battled Gray’s Creek on Friday falling to the Lady Bears, 15-6 in seven innings before returning on Saturday to take on Freedom Christian Academy and Marlboro County. The Lady Scots split their Saturday games, falling to Freedom Christian Academy 11-1 in five innings before defeating Marlboro County 13-11 in game two.

There were some notable absences for the Lady Scots as the team was missing six players including starting pitcher Sarah McCall and catcher Jenna Byrd. In their places, Lady Scots head coach Pat Williams called up several JV players to fill the empty positions.

Katie Smith started in the circle for the Lady Scots with Lilly Locklear behind the plate. Smith and Lady Scots first baseman Bree Steele switched off pitching throughout the two games.

Freedom Christian Academy jumped out to an early lead in game one and rode that to an 11-1 win in five innings as the Lady Scots were never able to time Freedom’s pitcher.

In game two against Marlboro County — a team that was also playing with only nine girls — it was the Lady Scots who jumped out to an early lead. Short stop Katie Lighthall started the Lady Scots with a double to right-center field. A infield hit by senior Maggie Laviner resulted in the Lady Bulldogs turning a double play. A infield hit by third baseman Jordan Danford set the Lady Scots up for their first run as pass balls by Marlboro County allowed Danford to steal home.

The Lady Bulldogs responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning off Smith. The two teams went scoreless the next three innings as both pitchers found their rhythm. The Lady Scots batted through the order in the top of the fourth taking a 7-2 lead. Steele started the inning with an infield hit before Smith singled to center to put runners in scoring position. A sacrifice infield hit by McKenzie Wilkerson scored Steele from third. Locklear singled to center to score Smith before junior Macie Gibson rocketed a triple to right scoring two more runs. A single to shallow right by Lighthall rounded out the inning.

Marlboro County cut the Lady Scots lead to one run after multiple fielding errors by the Lady Scots allowed three runs to score. A single down the first baseline, a sacrifice bunt and a single to left ended the inning for the Lady Bulldogs down one, 7-6.

The two teams just kept racking in the runs in the next two innings, down 11-8 heading into the sixth inning the Lady Scots got the bats back out and scored five unanswered runs to win their final game of the tournament, 13-11.

The Lady Scots move to 8-9 overall and 3-5 in Southeastern conference play.

The Lady Scots were scheduled to play Southern Lee on Monday but due to heavy rain that game was cancelled. The heavy rains also forced the Lady Scots to move their game against Richmond, originally scheduled for Tuesday, to Wednesday, April 26. Before the first pitch, the Lady Scots three seniors will be recognized, first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.

Amber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange The Lady Scots were six players short this weekend at the Gray’s Creek Bear Invitational so three JV players were called up, including catcher Lilly Locklear. The Lady Scots lost two of their three games to move to 8-9 overall.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_IMG_1560.jpgAmber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange The Lady Scots were six players short this weekend at the Gray’s Creek Bear Invitational so three JV players were called up, including catcher Lilly Locklear. The Lady Scots lost two of their three games to move to 8-9 overall.

Amber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Katie Smith was called up to pitch for the Lady Scots on Friday and Saturday in the Gray’s Creek Bear Invitational. Smith threw both days as the Lady Scots won one of their three games.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_IMG_1469.jpgAmber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Katie Smith was called up to pitch for the Lady Scots on Friday and Saturday in the Gray’s Creek Bear Invitational. Smith threw both days as the Lady Scots won one of their three games.

Amber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange The Lady Scots softball team wrapped its Spring Break with a trip to Hope Mills to compete in the two-day Gray’s Creek Bear Invitational. The Lady Scots fell to Gray’s Creek 15-6 and Freedom Christian Academy 11-1 before defeating Marlboro County 13-11.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_IMG_1542.jpgAmber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange The Lady Scots softball team wrapped its Spring Break with a trip to Hope Mills to compete in the two-day Gray’s Creek Bear Invitational. The Lady Scots fell to Gray’s Creek 15-6 and Freedom Christian Academy 11-1 before defeating Marlboro County 13-11.
Defeats Marlboro County, falls to Gray’s Creek, Freedom Christian Academy

By Amber Hatten

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