For the first time in about 10 years, the Nation Ford softball team beat Fort Mill at Fort Mill High Tuesday night.
The Lady Falcons came away with a 10-5 win over their rival. The last time Nation Ford beat Fort Mill at Fort Mill was April 4, 2014.
“They are a scrappy team,” said Nation Ford head coach Craig Brown. “This is the first time we won at Fort Mill in a long time. I was still wearing the blue and gold back then.”
Nation Ford came into the game ranked sixth in 5A. Fort Mill is undergoing a rebuilding process that has shown glimpses of what used to be for the Jackets.
“I know my girls could have played better,” said Fort Mill head coach Skyler Holt. “I expect them to play better. We didn’t play to the best of our ability.”
In the first two innings both starting pitchers cruised along. Then in the third inning, Nation Ford scored three runs on three hits powered by a two run double by Abigail Loser scoring Makayla Bess and Paizlei Ross. The Falcons added another run on a sacrifice bunt by Alaina Holyfield to make it 3-0.
Nation Ford added two more runs in the top of the fourth as Ross drove in a run and Jackie Knol doubled in Ross to extend the Lady Falcons lead.
Fort Mill roared back in the bottom of the fourth as Brooke Rosario hit a solo homer to get the Jackets on the board. Ashley Kirby would single and Vicki Lott would drive her in for the Jackets second run. Fort Mill would add another run on a passed ball to cut into the lead even more.
Nation Ford threatened in the fifth with the bases loaded and one out. A bases loaded walk added another run to the Lady Falcons’ tally. Loser would single plating two more runs extending Nation Ford’s lead to 8-3.
The Jackets threatened getting two on in the bottom of the fifth, but couldn’t push them across.
In the top of the sixth, Rachel Studer hit a double adding another run for the Falcons.
Fort Mill again threatened with one out and the bases loaded in the sixth inning. The Jackets scored on a wild pitch and then Lila Wotring drove in a run on a sacrifice.
With Fort Mill threatening again, Nation Ford put starter Kailey Alston back in the game to pitch after pulling her in the fourth for Ross. Alston was able to get out of the jam for the Falcons with the help of Knol throwing out a runner at second.
That momentum carried into the top of the seventh as Nation Ford scored on a passed ball to make it 10-5 as that would close out the scoring for the Falcons.
Loser went 2-4 with four RBIs at the plate and Ross went 3-4 with two RBIs to lead Nation Ford. Alston got the win going four innings and striking out seven without allowing a walk.
Rosario went 2-4 with an RBI to lead Fort Mill who fell to 3-4 overall.
Nation Ford improved to 8-1 overall on the season and 4-0 in region play.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
