The Gilmer High Lady Cats opened their softball season last Saturday with a 3-2 home victory over Sonoraville.
Isabella Chastain earned the complete game victory and allowed just four hits, no earned runs and fanned seven Phoenix batters.
Gilmer used small-ball tactics, which resulted in Phoenix throwing errors as they committed four defensive miscues on the day.
SHS struck in the first with a two-out single to score a runner who reached on an error.
In the second inning, a two-out double steal with runners on the corners allowed GHS courtesy runner Carly Chadwick to race home as the Cats evened the score.
Maddie Wright moved GHS ahead in the bottom of the third. After reaching base with a lead off bunt, she advanced to second as Sonoraville’s bunt defense took them out of position with no one covering the base.
She made her way to third on a wild pitch. Taylor Elliott’s sacrifice bunt gave Wright the chance to score as the Phoenix got the out at first base.
A two-out base hit by Lady Cat Jacie Bennett scored Hamby, who walked earlier and GHS moved ahead, 3-1.
Solid defense kept Sonoraville off the board in the fifth. Gilmer denied the Phoenix’s advancement into scoring position when Elliott fielded a bunt and got the lead runner out at second base.
An ensuing fielder’s choice kept Sonoraville out of scoring position once more before Chastain struck out the next hitter.
A triple and error accounted for Sonoraville’s final run of the game in the sixth inning, and they were retired in order in the seventh.
While the Cats struck out 12 times on the day, they still managed to outhit SHS, 5-4.
Gilmer hosted Pickens at press deadline. The Lady Cats will travel to Pickens Thursday for a 5:55 p.m. game.