If the Catawba Ridge Copperheads softball team were looking to make a statement – consider it made.
The Copperheads opened the defense of the 4A state championship beating Greer 16-0 in three innings in just 53 minutes Tuesday. They will host Midland Valley at 6:30 pm on Thursday, May 2.
Catawba Ridge didn’t waste any time in their title defense. The Copperheads started the offense with two walks and Audrey Wilson getting hit by a pitch, which led to a grand slam by Sarah Rocheleau. That was followed by a solo shot from Kendra Murray to put the Copperheads up 5-0 with no outs in the bottom of the first inning.
Catawba Ridge would get four more runs on a couple Greer errors and hits from Jaidyn Harris and Wilson to put the home team up 9-0 at the end of the first inning.
Things continued to roll for Catawba Ridge as they scored seven runs on four hits. Murray led the inning off with a double. Aloni Hogan would also single after another hit batter and two walks. Braylon Lawrence would single and drive in two, while Murray would drive in another run with her third hit and third RBI of the game.
Chloe Burger was nearly perfect in the circle as she pitched a three inning no-hitter with one walk and seven strikeouts. Catawba Ridge has had five consecutive shutouts, mostly thanks to Burger.
“She is starting to get into her postseason form,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Michael Kidd.
Catawba Ridge had 10 hits in the game, but Kidd said his team still needs to work on their hitting.
“We need to make better adjustments against slower pitching,” he said. “I know that’s hard to say when you just scored 16 runs.”
Leading the way at the plate for the Copperheads was Murray, who went 3-3 with three RBIs. Rocheleau was 1-2 with four RBIs. Hogan, Harris, Lawrence and Wilson each had two RBIs as well for Catawba Ridge.
Catawba Ridge improved to 22-2 on the season with the win.
April 30 Roundup
The Fort Mill baseball team scattered 14 hits to beat Woodmont in the first round of the District II playoffs winning 10-2. John Dober went 3-4 at the plate with two RBIs. Carter Blankinship, JT Leonhardt and Thomas Ealey each got two hits in the game. Blankinship and Leonhardt each had two RBIs as well. Alex Carreiro went five and a third innings allowing two runs on one hit, while walking five and striking out six. Fort Mill improved to 21-6 overall with the win. The Jackets will now host Dutch Fork on May 2.
The Nation Ford baseball team lost 6-4 in the opening round of the District III playoffs. Simon Fernandez and Bradyn Deaton each went 2-3 at the plate to get four of the Falcons’ six hits in the game. The loss drops them to 11-14 on the season, as they will next play at Blythewood in an elimination game May 2.
The Nation Ford girls’ soccer team beat Woodmont 3-1 on the road in the first round of the 5A state playoffs. That win improved them to 12-7 on the season as they will next at Dorman May 2.
The Fort Mill girls’ soccer team fell in the first round of the 5A playoffs losing on the road to JL Mann 5-0. Fort Mill ends their season with an 8-11-3 record.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
