By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

ST. MARTIN — The defending Class 6A South State champion Hancock Lady Hawks went on the road and thumped St. Martin 12-0 in five innings Tuesday night.

Hancock struck early and often against the overwhelmed Lady Yellow Jackets, beginning in the first inning when Ashlynn Gaston smacked a two-run home run to give the Lady Hawks a quick lead they would never relinquish.

The Lady Hawks doubled up that advantage to 4-0 in the second stanza thanks in part to an RBI-single by Brylie Smith.

It was more of the same in the third frame for the visiting team, as three more runs made it 7-0 thanks largely to a two-run double by Aubre Martin.

The fourth inning was the big session for the Lady Hawks, as they tallied four more runs to take their first double digit lead of the night at 11-0. Teegan DeWitt had an RBI-single and Kenleigh McIver, who had an RBI-double earlier in the game, drove in two more runs on a fielder’s choice.

Meanwhile, the senior standout DeWitt was in complete command on the mound, as she hurled a complete game, one-hit shutout to pick up the win striking out eight and walking two in the process.

The only blemish on her worksheet was a double allowed to Alivia Allen with one out in the bottom of the fourth.

Smith had a game-high three hits to lead the game-winning 13-hit attack for Hancock, while both Gaston and McIver each collected a game-high three RBI’s apiece.Martin registered two of Hancock’s five doubles.

Maranda Ladnier took the loss for SMHS.