The Fort Mill softball team scattered a dozen hits in their 16-9 win over the Andrew Jackson Volunteers Wednesday night.
Fort Mill improved to 3-1 with the win, but still struggled in the field making five errors, a night after making nine errors in their first loss of the season against Blythewood Tuesday.
“There is going to be some growing pains,” said Jackets head coach Will Jameson. “Being young makes it exciting. Having youth and seeing the potential these girls have.”
Fort Mill opened the game scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning and then added two more in the bottom of the second. Andrew Jackson rallied to score two runs in the top of the third preventing the Jackets from pulling away.
The game stayed close as the Volunteers pulled within one at 4-3 in the top of the fifth, before Fort Mill opened the flood gates scoring eight in the bottom of the inning led by Vicki Lott’s three-run home run. The offensive explosion put Fort Mill up 12-3 which gave them a comfortable lead or so they thought.
Andrew Jackson scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning to pull within three at 12-9 as Fort Mill starter Hayley Rogers was pulled after five and a third innings. Rogers gave up nine runs on 10 hits, while walking four and striking out two. Only four of those runs were earned runs.
Fort Mill was able to get some of those runs back in the bottom of the sixth inning scoring four runs on a couple hits and a couple walks.
At the plate, Lott led going 2-3 with three RBI and Lila Wotring went 2-3 with three RBI as well. Gracyn Hagler went 3-4 with two RBI and Lexi Verastegui went 2-4 with two RBI to add to Fort Mill’s offensive output.
Fort Mill will now travel to Rock Hill for a St. Patrick’s Day game Friday, March 17 and will return home March 21 against Spring Valley.
March 15 Roundup
Fort Mill
The Jackets baseball team evened their season series with the Blythewood Bengals with a 6-5 win to improve to 5-3 overall and pick up their first Region 3-5A win of the season. Both Brent Laughter and Zach Jennings hit home runs for Fort Mill.
Catawba Ridge
The Catawba Ridge baseball team improved to 2-0 in Region 3-4A play with a 15-0 near perfect game by Jackson Mullen winning in just four innings. Mullen went four innings allowing one baserunner and struck out five on just 47 pitches. Mullen also went 3-4 at the plate with three RBI and Jake McCoy went 2-3 with three RBI. Both McCoy and Mullen hit home runs. Catawba Ridge is now 5-3 overall on the season.
Nation Ford
The Nation Ford baseball team fell in game two to Clover 1-0 to even their season series. The Falcons outhit Clover 5-4, but made three errors. They are now 1-1 in Region 3-5A and 5-3 on the season.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
