It’s not how you start, but how you finish. At least that is what Catawba Ridge is hoping for.
The Copperheads’ softball team opened with a tough opponent to begin their season in Gray Collegiate Academy. The Copperheads lost 10-0 in five innings getting no-hit for their first loss at home since its season opener of 2024 against Blythewood, when they fell 10-9. It was the first time Catawba Ridge softball had been 10-run ruled since a 17-5 loss to Byrnes in 2022.
The three-time defending state champions know this season isn’t going to be an easy one, as head coach Mike Mayak described it as a possible roller coaster.
“Every roller coaster you have to climb to get to the top before you can have some fun,” Mayak said. “We replaced six seniors with six girls that are freshman or eighth grade. We are going to have a journey ahead of us. We have to put in the grind. No on is going to feel bad for us. We have to fight through it. That is the only way. We will be fine. It is a long season. It is only a loss if we don’t learn from it.”
B.G. Yates got the start in the circle for the Copperheads as Keira O’Brien was out with an injury. One thing that hurt Yates more than anything was the lack of run support she got in the game.
Gray wasted no time in getting on the board scoring three runs in the top of the first off two hits.
Catawba Ridge went three up-three down in the bottom of the first inning. Gray added a run in the second inning to go up 4-0 off two more hits.
Catawba Ridge struggled through the first two innings at the plate failing to catch up with the Gray pitcher.
Catawba Ridge held Gray from scoring in the third inning despite them getting two base runners.
The Copperheads were able to start making contact in the bottom of the inning, but the Gray defense was able to back up their pitcher. Gray added several more runs in the fourth inning, leading to Yates being replaced.
Yates didn’t pitch bad, but Gray Collegiate got to her for 10 runs on nine hits, while walking five and striking out five. She was replaced with Nora Mari with one out in the fourth. After the top of the fourth was said and done, Gray posted six runs on three hits and a couple Copperheads errors.
Catawba Ridge got their first base runner in the bottom of the fourth on a walk to Yates. She would steal second, but would be left stranded.
The Copperheads kept Gray from scoring in the fifth inning, but again was unable to score themselves in the bottom of the inning. Tilly Boss walked with one out in the fifth inning for Catawba Ridge, but like Yates the inning before, was left stranded on second to end the game.
March 3 Roundup
The Fort Mill girls’ lacrosse team lost to Charlotte Country Day 17-1 to drop to 1-1 on the season.
The Catawba Ridge boys’ tennis team beat York 6-0 to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Late Monday, Fort Mill boys’ lacrosse team beat Indian Land 22-0 to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Late Monday, the Fort Mill boys’ golf team finished third in the Anderson Bank Qualifier at Lake City Country Club with a team score of 310. They were led by Morgan Bayko with a 74 in the 18-hole tournament. Tyson Shouse shot a 78 and both Baker Tolentino and Noah Jones finished with rounds of 79 for Fort Mill. Nick Harper finished with an 81 for the Jackets as well.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
