Gilmer High softball began its season last Saturday at home.
The Lady Cats welcomed Sprayberry to town, and the Class 6A Yellow Jackets collected 12 hits while taking advantage of five GHS errors. When GHS was unable to cut into Sprayberry’s lead in the bottom of the fifth, the Jackets claimed a 13-3 victory.
GHS scored the game’s first run in the opening inning. A pair of walks to start the frame were followed by two infield fly outs. Lead off hitter Maddie Wright stole second after she received a free pass, and then tagged up to third on the second infield fly.
Wright continued to be a running threat, and stole home after a pitch when the Yellow Jacket catcher threw the ball back to the pitcher. Wright was able to slide under the tag to score safely, but was injured on the play. While she returned to catch in the second inning where SHS evened the score with a solo home run, Wright left the game after Sprayberry’s third out.
SHS plated three runs in the third off one hit. A one-out walk was followed by a walk, wild pitch, second walk and passed ball to take a 2-1 lead. Another passed ball added a third run before the third walk of the inning. Sprayberry made the score 4-1 with a two-out single to right field.
GHS got two runs back in the third, and the first came when Jacie Bennett was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Jocelyn Birko was the ensuing batter and drew a walk to trim the Jackets’ lead to 4-3.
SHS extended its advantage in its next at-bat. A pair of walks and sacrifice put runners at the corners, and a passed ball scored the Jackets’ sixth run. An ensuing fly out pushed SHS ahead by four, and a two-out single gave Sprayberry an 8-3 cushion.
GHS was able to get two outs with runners on first and second in the top of the fifth. However, four more hits ballooned the Yellow Jackets’ lead. Back-to-back doubles put GHS in an 11-3 hole before consecutive singles plated the final two runs.
The game was called early after Gilmer’s final out of the fifth inning.
The Cats were limited to three hits. Macy Hamby pitched for GHS and gave up eight earned runs, walked six and struck out four.
Gilmer traveled to Pickens at press deadline. The Lady Cats will be in Dalton Friday and Saturday for a tournament.