The Gilmer Lady Cats came away with two more region softball wins.
Gilmer took on Northwest Whitfield last Tuesday and Thursday, and Bruins did not have much to offer in either game. Senior pitcher Lily Fortune did everything right in her game one shutout, while Northwest’s defense fumbled the ball repeatedly.
GHS came away with a 5-0 road win before winning handily at home in game two, 7-2.
The Cats started the week last Monday against Heritage. The visiting Generals capitalized on GHS defensive miscues to topple the Cats, 11-3.
In game one versus Northwest, Fortune limited the Bruins to two hits while striking out nine and walking two. GHS produced five hits on the day, but three Bruin errors led to all five runs being unearned.
Makayla Martin started the second inning with a walk and later scored when the Bruins’ right fielder dropped a ball hit by Lady Cat Braley Stewart.
NHS committed two errors in the third as GHS scored three more runs. Both Martin and Phoenix Addie drew walks and Jaylee McDaniel singled.
Leading 4-0, GHS added the game’s last run in the sixth. Brenlee Daniel reached base to begin the inning on a Bruin error. Following Emma Cagle’s ground out, she scored when Sarah Dale doubled to left.
Northwest took a quick lead in its first at-bat Thursday, but it was the Bruins’ only runs of the game. A one-out double and wild pitch put a Bruin on third. Following a strikeout, a catcher’s interference erased the third out and plated their first run. An ensuing double gave NHS a 2-0 lead.
Gilmer left two runners in scoring position in the second, but took advantage of their chances in the third. Dale’s one-out single to left got the inning going before Mary Grace Jones walked. Fortune singled down the left field line for a run. Stewart singled to left for Gilmer’s second run, and she advanced to second on the throw home.
Addie reached on a fielder’s choice when she hit a grounder to second. However, the throw home was late, and GHS pulled ahead. McDaniel flew out to right, and Stewart tagged up for a 4-2 Lady Cat lead.
Gilmer’s patience at the plate in the fourth gave the Cats hope with two out. Fortune legged out an infield hit, and Martin hustled home from second base.
Ahead by three, GHS added two more runs in the sixth. Dale singled up the middle ahead of Jones’ base hit to center. Stewart’s two-out double to right scored both, and Gilmer enjoyed a 7-2 advantage.
Stewart retired the Bruins in order in the seventh for a complete game victory.
Heritage racked up 10 hits Monday, and six GHS errors accounted for six unearned runs. HHS led 1-0 after the second and 9-0 following its eight-run third inning. The Generals tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth.
The Cats’ offense came in the third inning for three runs. Martin walked, Fortune singled and Stewart’s double scored the former. Fortune then strolled home on a passed ball and Stewart did the same.
Addie and Jones also had a hit on the day. Fortune got the start and lasted 2 1/3 innings. She gave up three earned runs on five hits and struck out three and walked two. Stewart tossed 3 2/3 innings and gave five hits, two earned runs and struck out one and walked one.
GHS is 13-9 on the season after defeating Adairsville 5-4 and 4-2 Monday. Gilmer traveled to Calhoun at press deadline and hosts the Yellow Jackets Thursday at 5:30 p.m.