The Nation Ford softball team remained undefeated with a comeback win against Midland Valley.
The Falcons won 9-8 in a back-and-forth game between the two teams as Nation Ford improved to 3-0 on the season.
“This game was needed,” said Nation Ford head coach Shelby Sosebee, who is in her first year with the team. “It challenged us and let us see our fight and who was going to rise up under pressure. For this season, I hope to see great success. I am hoping to push the girls to push themselves and do better. Right now, we are just trying to mesh. We are working at stringing hits together. That is what we are working on the most.”
Nation Ford came out strong against Midland Valley getting two outs before a single and a double plated the first run of the game for the Mustangs going up 1-0.
Nation Ford quickly went ahead in the bottom of the inning as Maci Ladamus walked and Ella Witkopf hit a two-run home run to left center to put the Falcons ahead with no outs.
Things kept rolling for the home team as a walk to Tori Baldino and a single by Makayla Bess put two on. An error allowed both of those runs to score for Nation Ford to put them up 4-1.
Midland Valley rallied in the second inning to tie the game scoring five runs on three hits to go up 6-4.
Nation Ford got two on in the bottom of the inning, but was unable to score any runs. The Falcons settled down in the third inning without allowing a run and then tied things up in the bottom of the inning. Paizlei Ross walked and Bess singled to score her. Jackie Knol hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at six before Midland Valley was able to get out of the inning.
The Mustangs again threatened in the fourth, but starter Kailey Alston held strong to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
Nation Ford threatened in the fourth with a double by Witkopf, but a double play stalled things for the Falcons.
Ross came in the fifth inning to pitch for Nation Ford. Alston went four innings allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out five and not allowing a walk.
Bess and Kinslee Adamson both singled to start the bottom of the inning. Both scored on a single by Natalie Holifield to give Nation Ford the lead once again.
Midland Valley came back again to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning after a bases loaded double with one out.
Witkopf led the bottom of the inning off with a double for the Falcons. Ross would aid her effort with an RBI single.
Midland Valley threatened in the top of the seventh inning getting two on, but Ross was able to shut them down to get the win.
Witkopf went 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs and Holifield also had two RBIs in the win. Ross finished going three innings and allowing two runs on five hits, while walking four and striking out five.
March 6 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge softball team split a three-team doubleheader falling 9-3 to tournament host Belton-Honea Path and beating Woodmont 5-4. The Copperheads are now 2-2 on the season.
The Catawba Ridge baseball team dropped their first game of the season after falling to Lugoff-Elgin 7-2 in nine innings. The Copperheads are now 4-1 on the season.
The Catawba Ridge boy’ soccer team fell to Chapin 2-1 on the road and are now 3-3 on the season
The Nation Ford boys’ soccer team fell to Myrtle Beach 1-0 on the road and dropped to 2-5 overall.
The Nation Ford boys’ lacrosse team fell 14-4 to Charlotte Christian and are now 1-3 on the season.
The Fort Mill boys’ lacrosse team improved to 3-1 on the season with a 13-6 win on the road over Ballantyne Ridge.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
