The Nation Ford Lady Falcons used a nine-run fifth inning to make a statement in an 11-1 win over the Blythewood Bengals Tuesday night.
Kailey Alston got the start for Nation Ford and did well in the first inning. The Falcons threatened in the bottom half getting runners to second and third, but couldn’t get them across.
In the second inning, the Bengals struck first getting on the board with a solo home run off Alston. She then came back and struck the next batter to get out of the inning.
Nation Ford got the run back in the bottom half of the inning as Alaina Holyfield drove in Brooke Ressler who walked to lead the inning off. Tori Baldino then drove in pinch runner Jill Hennessy to give the Falcons the lead before Nation Ford left more runners stranded to end the inning.
Nation Ford threatened in the fourth after a double by Holyfield, but again she was left on third base to end the inning.
Alston was pulled in the fifth inning with two outs. She allowed one run on four hits in the game, while striking out two. Paizlei Ross came in and got out of the inning without Blythewood doing any damage.
In the bottom of the inning, Nation Ford blew the game open. Makayla Bess walked and then scored on after Abigail Loser stole second. Jackie Knol then drove in Loser on a single to right. Alston singled to score pinch runner Ella Witkopf and Ressler, who reached on a double, to keep things moving in the Falcons’ direction. A Holyfield RBI single and a Baldino RBI single led to Nation Ford batting around. Rachel Studer would score on a wild pitch and then Loser would hit an RBI single to lead to a 10-run mercy rule being enforced.
Nation Ford head coach Craig Brown said he asked his team to show the coaching staff what they could do.
“We challenged them yesterday,” Brown said. “We challenged them to show what we can do. We gave up one home run, but came back to score two right behind them so that was important.”
Baldino and Holyfield each got two hits in the game to lead Nation Ford. Baldino, Alston and Holyfield also each drove in two runs in the win.
Nation Ford improved to 9-3 overall and 5-0 in Region 3-5A. They are scheduled to play Rock Hill next on Thursday, but weather could play a factor in that game.
April 9 Roundup
The Fort Mill boys’ lacrosse team lost on the road to Lexington 10-3 and dropped to 6-9 overall on the season.
The Fort Mill boys’ soccer team used four first half goals to beat Rock Hill 4-0 as they improved to 6-1 in Region 3-5A and 10-5-1 overall. Braden Gritz scored two goals in the win to lead the Jackets.
The Fort Mill girls’ soccer team beat Rock Hill 7-2 to improve to 3-4 in Region 3-5A and 5-9-2 overall.
The Catawba Ridge softball team beat Lancaster 19-1 to improve to 16-1 on the season and 7-0 in Region 3-4A. Catawba Ridge scored 13 runs in the sixth inning to blow the game open. Kendra Murray went 2-3 with four RBIs, while Audrey Wilson and Sarah Rocheleau each had three RBIs in the game as well for the Copperheads. Murray and Jaidyn Harris each hit home runs. Chloe Burger pitched a no-hitter in the complete game win.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
