The Gilmer High Lady Cats were on the softball field for three more region games over a three-day span.
The Heritage Generals came calling last Monday, and they handed the Cats a 12-0 loss. Next up was a pair of games against Northwest Whitfield, and the Bruins won by scores of 6-3 and 7-2.
Heritage needed four innings for its home victory, and the Generals kept the Cats out of the hit column. HHS recorded nine hits, and two Lady Cat errors led to three unearned runs.
For 2 1/2 innings, the game remained scoreless, but that changed in the Generals’ third at-bat. Two doubles, a dropped third strike and a GHS error helped the Generals open a 3-0 lead. The Generals belted six hits in the fourth, drew a walk for nine more runs to end the game.
GHS pitching: Lily Fortune 3 1/3 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 K, 2 BB. Sarah Dale 1/3 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 BB.
The Cats hosted Northwest the following day, and the teams matched each other with three hits each. However, four GHS errors allowed the Bruins to plate three unearned runs.
A walk and single set the stage for NHS in the third with one out. A strikeout on a passed ball scored the first run. A triple added another run, and the second passed ball of the inning extended the Bruins’ lead to 3-0.
In the fifth, NHS scored two more on two Gilmer errors. In the Cats’ half, Makayla Martin and Dale reached, the former scored on a wild pitch.
Northwest added its final run in the seventh with a triple and sacrifice bunt.
Gracie Morrow tripled to kick start the Cats’ final at-bat, and she trotted home on a NHS error. Mia Henson and Dale walked to keep the inning alive, and pinch runner Madison Balanno scored Gilmer’s final run on a passed ball.
Fortune tossed seven innings and struck out 15 and walked six.
Dale reached base on an error to start the game the following day at Northwest. She came home on a two--out single by Fortune.
NHS responded with a run in each of its next three at-bats and all were earned. In the fourth, three Lady Cat errors led to three unearned runs as GHS fell behind, 6-1.
Another unearned run trotted home for NHS in the sixth. A two-out error extended the seventh for Gilmer. Henson scored the Cats’ final run on Dale’s base hit to center. Emma Cagle also had a hit for the Cats in the game to bring their total to four.
GHS pitching: Jaylee McDaniel 3 2/3 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 K, 1 BB. Fortune 2 1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 K, 1 BB.
The Cats have a 4-17 overall record and are 0-11 versus region opponents. GHS hosted Calhoun at press deadline and will travel to Adairsville Wednesday and Calhoun Thursday for 6 p.m. games.