The Nation Ford Lady Falcons used an eight run fourth inning to pull away in their playoff opener.
The Falcons won 11-1 in five innings in the first round of the playoffs beating the Greenville Red Raiders.
Nation Ford head softball coach Craig Brown feels like his team is battle tested in the playoffs after the past several years.
“We have to realize this is a new season,” Brown said. “Everybody was 0-0 coming into today and now we are 1-0. We are going to have to travel some, but that is the way it is. I am excited about what they can do. I am excited for the games to come up.
“If we attack at the plate, like that we will be fine. Pitching has been great all year long. Pitchers have done well. As long as our defense stays with us, we will be fine.”
Neither team started off too hot in the first inning despite Nation Ford getting a couple of runners on. Abigail Loser singled and Paizlei Ross walked, but both were left stranded.
In the second inning, Jill Hennessy got on base after getting hit then Rachel Studer doubled and scored on two throwing errors allowing Nation Ford to take a 2-0 lead.
Greenville cut the Falcons lead in half in the top of the third after a single and scoring on an error.
Nation Ford replaced starter Jamison Noonan in the third inning. She went three and two third innings allowing one run on one hit while striking out three without allowing a walk.
In the fourth inning, Nation Ford exploded for eight runs. Makayla Bess reached on a dropped third strike and stole second. Alaina Holifield then doubled to score her. Hennessy singled and Studer drove in Holifield. Brooke Ressler would drive in a run and Loser would hit a two RBI single also. Jackie Knol reached on an error with Loser scoring. Nation Ford batted around with Bess getting hit by a pitch and Holifield doubled in two more runs to go up 10-1.
Once the fifth inning rolled around, Nation Ford didn’t let up and walked it off with Studer singling to start the inning and Tori Baldino doubling to enforce the 10- run mercy rule.
Loser and Studer went 3-3 in the game with two RBIs to lead the Falcons. Holifield was 2-3 with three RBIs as well. Noonan got the win, while Kailey Alston went one and a third innings without allowing a base runner and striking out one.
Nation Ford improved to 15-8 overall on the season and will now travel to Woodmont on May 7 for the second-round matchup.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
