The Gilmer High Lady Cats racked up 13 hits in their lopsided win over West Hall.
GHS hosted the Spartans last Tuesday, and after West Hall took a brief lead in the second inning, the Cats responded with an offensive outpouring in the third and fifth innings to earn a 10-3 victory.
Gilmer was on the road two days later in Dawson County. While the Cats were able to muster two runs in the first inning, the Tigers’ four-run fourth allowed them to overtake GHS, and they held on for the win, 6-2.
The Cats committed five errors versus West Hall, and one came in the first inning after a leadoff walk. A bunt for a hit plated the game’s first run, another scored on a fielder’s choice, and the Spartans enjoyed a 3-0 lead with an RBI single to right field.
GHS left a pair of runners stranded in scoring position through two innings. In the third, the Cats took advantage as A.J. Allen’s lead off infield hit was followed by a Maddie Wright double for Gilmer’s first run.
Jacie Bennett roped a double into the left center field gap for a second run, and Macy Hamby did the same to even the score. Zoey Woody’s single to right moved GHS ahead for good, 4-3.
Gilmer collected five more hits in the fifth, and four went for extra bases. Bennett got the Cats rolling with a line drive home run to start the inning. Hamby then doubled and scored on Woody’s base hit. Gracie Smith’s double plated the Cats’ seventh run before Allen slashed a hit down the right-field line for an inside the park home run and 9-3 GHS advantage.
Gilmer plated its 10th and final run in the sixth when Hamby flew out to score Lily Fortune, who began the inning by drawing a walk.
Hamby started the game and pitched four innings, struck out four, walked three and allowed five hits. Phoenix Addie pitched the final three innings and struck out two.
Gilmer’s extra base hits carried over to the first inning of Thursday’s game at Dawson. After Fortune drew a one out walk, she scored on Bennett’s triple to right. Bennett trotted home on Hamby’s ensuing triple for a quick 2-0 lead. However, over their next three at-bats, the Cats struck out eight times.
DCHS got a run back in their half of the first and added four more in the fourth inning off a bunt single, base hit to left, double and home run.
GHS collected three hits in the top of the sixth, but a double play quelled the threat. With a 5-2 edge, the Tigers added an insurance run in their half of the inning. Gilmer advanced a runner into scoring position in the seventh but were unable to cut into the Tigers’ lead.
Bennett had two hits on the day and Fortune, Hamby, Addie and Chesney Mathews had one apiece. GHS pitching: Fortune 3 1/3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 K, 3 BB. Addie 2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1K. Hamby 2/3 IP, 1 K, 1BB.
GHS is 4-7 overall and travels to Southeast Whitfield Wednesday. Gilmer will host Pickens Thursday for senior night, and the first pitch is set for 5 p.m.