The Gilmer High Lady Cats notched a softball win on the first day of the season.
GHS hosted both Coahulla Creek and Armuchee high schools last Saturday. Coahulla Creek was up first, and the Colts kept the Cats’ bats in check for a 6-0 victory. Gilmer bounced back versus Armuchee. The Cats rallied from a two-run deficit in their final at-bat for a 6-5 victory over the Indians.
Gilmer was back on the field Monday to host Fannin County and they sent the Rebels back to Blue Ridge with a 10-1 loss.
The Lady Cats were limited to five hits against Coahulla Creek. Three GHS errors led to a trio of unearned runs for the Colts. One of those unearned runs came in the first inning. Gilmer’s defensive miscue accounted for the second Colts’ run, and they tallied their first with a leadoff triple followed by a single.
CCHS plated three more runs in the third inning. With two runners in scoring position, a GHS error made the score 3-0. An ensuing base hit to center added a fourth run, and the Colts pushed their lead to five when they drew a bases loaded walk.
A single and walk set the stage for the Colts’ final run in the sixth. A wild pitch and passed ball made the score 6-0.
Lily Fortune had a pair of hits for GHS, while Maddie Wright, Jacie Bennett and A.J. Allen had one apiece. GHS pitching: Fortune 3 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 K, 4 BB. Macy Hamby 3 IP, 2 H, 4 K, 3 BB. Phoenix Addie 1 IP, 1 K.
Gilmer’s win over Armuchee was a back-and-forth battle. GHS struck first when Gracie Smith’s patience at the plate led to a bases loaded walk. AHS got a run back in the third to even the score.
The Indians loaded the bases in the filth inning. A single to center scored a run, but Bennett’s throw home cut down an Armuchee base runner. AHS moved ahead 3-1 with a two-out single, but the Cats answered immediately.
In its half of the inning, a two-run base hit to right field by Addie scored Allen and Wright. The score remained even until the seventh where the Indians plated two runs. A pair of fielder’s choices with the bases loaded pushed AHS back ahead, 5-3.
However, the Cats had some seventh-inning magic of their own. GHS got rolling with three straight singles by Fortune, Wright and Hamby. Addie singled as well for her third RBI to cut Armuchee’s lead to one. Bennett was up next, and she flew out to center before Wright raced home to tie the game.
Chesney Mathews’ bases loaded walk-off hit to right gave the Cats their first win of the season.
Addie led GHS offensively with a four-for-four performance at the plate, and Wright recorded two hits. As a team, Gilmer outhit Armuchee 12 to five.
Fortune got the win and pitched three innings, gave up three hits, two earned runs and struck out three while walking four. Hamby 3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 7 K and 4 BB. Addie 1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER 1 K, 3 BB.
GHS came through with timely hits and also drew six walks to aid their cause versus Fannin. Hamby was there for two hits and four RBI, which included a two-run homer. Bennett and Addie each recorded a hit and drove in three and two runs, respectively.
FCHS fell in a 3-0 hole after the first inning, trailed 5-0 after three and 10-0 following the Cats’ fourth at-bat. Fannin got a run back in its half of the fifth but it was not enough to prolong the game.
Fortune secured the win for GHS, and she did not allow any hits in four innings while striking out three and walking one. Hamby tossed the fifth inning and fanned two, walked two and gave up one earned run.
GHS traveled to Cass at press deadline and will host Southeast Whitfield Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Cats will make their way to Dalton Friday and Saturday for a tournament.