Prep Softball: George County nips Vancleave 4-3 Saturday afternoon
George County’s Paisley Pipkins fouls off a pitch vs. Vancleave Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director LUCEDALE — The George County softball team opened this season at home in the same fashion it ended last year. The defending Class 6A state champs slipped past visiting Vancleave 4-3 Saturday afternoon. The Lady Rebels bounced back from a season-opening loss on the road to Northwest Rankin two days earlier, to notch their first win of the new campaign as they kick off their journey towards a second straight state title. The Lady Bulldogs, which played for the Class 5A South State championship last year, had quite a busy opening week, and dropped to 2-3 overall with the loss.
George County batter Blakely Slay cracks a double vs. Vancleave Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave infielder Brenley Hunter reaches out for a throw vs. George County Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave batter Brianna Webster takes aim on a pitch vs. George County Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)George County pitcher Addison Davis delivers a throw vs. Vancleave Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave batter Emma Hammonds delivers a bunt as George County catcher Kyleigh Howell reacts Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
The two teams battled back and forth throughout, as Vancleave took a slight early lead at 1-0 on an RBI-double by Hadleigh Hall in the top of the third frame. But the home team responded immediately to take its first lead of the game on a run-scoring single by Aryana Dixon in the bottom of the inning, followed by an RBI-double by Blakely Slay that scored Dixon. It was once again the visitors’ turn in their next at bat, as Presleigh Tapp thumped a two-run double that returned the lead to VHS at 3-2. George County answered in the bottom of the sixth stanza, as Slay singled to lead things off and later scored on a run-scoring fielders choice by Braylee Bishop to knot things up at 3-3.
George County’s Paisley Pipkins takes a swing at a pitch vs. Vancleave Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave outfielder Brianna Webster makes a play on a bouncing ball vs. George County Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave’s Brenley Hunter puts bat to ball vs. George County Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)George County batter Blakely Slay turns on a pitch vs. Vancleave Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave infielder Presleigh Tapp hauls in a throw at first base vs. George County Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
The next batter, Ava Claire Broadus, delivered an RBI-sacrifice fly that plated courtesy runner Hannah Saranthus with the game-winning run. Dixon and Slay each had two hits apiece to lead the Lady Rebels at the plate. Addison Davis picked up the pitching win. Sophia Hollimon had two hits to pace Vancleave offensively, including a double. Carly Wyatt took the loss in the circle. George County heads to Hurley to face defending Class 5A state champion East Central Tuesday night. Vancleave hosts Poplarville Monday night.
George County outfielder Aryana Dixon settles under a fly ball vs. Vancleave Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave infielder Brenley Hunter reaches down for a throw as George County base runner Paisley Pipkins slides into second base Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave infielder Brenley Hunter grabs a throw down as George County base runner Paisley Pipkins slides into second base Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave infielder Emma Hammonds reacts as George County base runner Paisley Pipkins slides safely into second base Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
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