The Gilmer High Lady Cats’ softball season ended on the road last Friday.
A year removed from a region title, GHS missed the state tournament this time around, and Dawson County was its final destination.
The Tigers jumped ahead in the first inning, and Gilmer got a run back in the fourth. However, a six-run tally by DCHS its half of the fourth was enough to bring the game to an early end, 9-1.
Dawson had six hits on the day, and Lady Cat errors led to four unearned runs. Two came in the first inning when a pair of GHS defensive mishaps set the stage before a three-run homer to center field.
Gilmer collected four hits in the game and left three runners stranded in scoring position. Lady Cats Macy Hamby and Zoey Woody led off the fourth with singles and the former scored when Jacie Bennett flew out to right field.
Leading 3-1, a walk and two bunts loaded the bases for Dawson in the fourth. An ensuing single scored two runs and a wild pitch plated another. A two-out single made the score 7-1 in Dawson’s favor ahead of consecutive errors that added the Tigers’ final two runs.
The game was called because of run differential after GHS was unable to cut into the Tigers’ lead in the fifth inning.
In addition to Hamby and Woody, Maddie Wright and Gracie Smith both had a hit for Gilmer. Hamby tossed 3 1/3 innings and struck out nine while walking three and giving up five earned runs. Woody pitched the final 2/3 of the fourth and had one strikeout and allowed one hit.
Gilmer finished the season with a 4-22 overall record.