Gilmer High softball added two more wins to its tally.
GHS was at home for two games to start the week. Coahulla Creek was in Ellijay last Monday, and the Cats unleashed their bats early. GHS scored a run in each of the first four innings, and their defense took care of the rest in a 7-0 win.
The Cats built a formidable lead through four innings the next day against region foe Adairsville. The Tigers threatened late, but GHS held them off for the victory, 8-6.
Gilmer was in Lumpkin County Saturday, and the Indians gave them a taste of their own medicine. LCHS poured on the runs early for a seven-run lead en route to a 8-4 win.
Gilmer outhit Coahulla Creek 10-6, and the Cats’ offense was busy through four innings. While Lily Fortune was the only one to get a hit in the first, Mary Grace Jones was hit by a pitch, and Brenlee Daniel reached on an error. GHS led 2-0 when Phoenix Addie hit a grounded ball to short to score Jones and Brayley Stewart, who reached on a fielder’s choice.
Mia Henson got the second going with a double to center and scored on Jones’ base hit to left. GHS led 4-0 after Stewart’s first of two doubles on the day.
In the third, both Sarah Dale and Henson singled, and Makayla Martin walked to load the bases. GHS grounded out to end the inning but not before a passed ball scored Dale for a five-run edge.
Stewart set the stage in the fourth with a one-out double to left. After advancing to third, she scored on Addie’s base hit to center.
Jaylee McDaniel also singled to keep the inning going, and Gilmer’s lead stood at 7-0 when Dale reached on an infield hit.
Fortune got the start and win. She pitched 5 1/3 innings, struck out 10 and walked one. Dale tossed 1 2/3 innings of relief work and struck out two and walked one.
Adairsville notched two hits and were aided by a walk to plate two runs in the first.
Fortune and Jones singled for the Cats as well in their half. However, it was Addie’s homer over the center field fence that put the Cats ahead, 3-2.
The score remained unchanged until the fourth when Gilmer put a four-spot on the board. With one out, Dale doubled, Henson walked and Gilmer’s lead stood at 4-1 on Martin’s bunt. After Fortune reached base, Jones cleared them with a triple to left. The Cats’ eighth run came home on Stewart’s ground out.
The Tigers cut into Gilmer’s lead when they recorded a single and double in the sixth and also took advantage of a wild pitch and passed ball. The Tigers entered the seventh down, 8-4, and plated two more. They added three more hits for nine in the game, and Gilmer got out of the inning and won by two.
GHS pitching: Stewart (W) 6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 4 K, 3 BB. Dale 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER. Fortune 1/3 IP. 1 K.
Fortune and Jones strung together doubles to begin the game at Lumpkin for a 1-0 lead. However, LCHS went to work over the next three innings. The Indians combined for nine hits over that span, which included three doubles, and also drew a walk and GHS committed two errors. Only two of eight runs were earned.
The Cats found themselves down 8-1 when they came to bat in the fourth. Addie’s and McDaniel’s singles started the inning. Addie scored when Dale grounded out, and McDaniel trotted home on an error.
In the sixth, McDaniel doubled to score courtesy runner Macie Baxter for Gilmer’s last run.
GHS pitching: Fortune 1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB. Stewart 5 IP, 7 H, 5 K.
The Cats also traveled to Adairsville Thursday and lightning postponed the game in the sixth with the score tied, 4-4.
Gilmer continued its region schedule Monday evening at Calhoun and lost, 7-6. GHS is 6-5 overall and hosts LaFayette Thursday at 5:30 p.m.