Clear Creek Middle School closed out the regular softball season with a win and loss ahead of the league tournament.
The CCMS Lady Cats were at Lumpkin County Sept. 16 and the Indians squeaked by with a 3-2 victory. A week later, Clear Creek hosted Fannin County and smashed the Rebels, 12-0.
CCMS entered the playoffs last Tuesday as the Pickens Dragonettes were in town. The Cats sent their southern rival back home with a sound 9-1 defeat.
The Cats’ loss to Lumpkin was a pitchers’ duel as both struck out 11, and Braley Stewart was in the circle for CCMS. Stewart added two hits and a RBI offensively. Teammate Brenlee Daniel drove in the Cats’ other run in the slim loss.
Stewart tossed four hitless innings, and the Fannin’s lone run was unearned. She struck out nine and did not issue any walks.
The Cats got the game going with Lily Teague’s RBI single in the first. In the second, three more runs crossed home plate. Stewart belted a two-run inside the park homer, and Neeyah McDaniel drew a bases loaded walk.
CCMS tacked on six more runs in its next at-bat. With the bases loaded once more, Jocelyn McCollum tripled to extend the lead to seven runs. McDaniel’s two-run double followed shortly, and Abby Murillo’s base hit added another run for the Cats.
The Cats hammered 12 hits in the game, and Kali McCardle and Jessie Wheeler added twp apiece.
CCMS hosted Pickens last Tuesday to kick start the Mountain League tournament. The Cats’ bats were hot once more and they racked up nine hits and were on the scoreboard early.
McDaniel’s ground out in the first allowed the Cats’ initial run to score. In the second, a Stewart double and singles by Daniel and McDaniel all added a run to the Cats’ tally. Another Lady Cat raced home in the third when Wheeler grounded out.
Stewart and the defense took care of the Dragonettes. They allowed two hits, and Stewart struck out nine and did not walk any.
A recap of the Cats’ championship game will appear in next week’s Times-Courier.