The DeKalb Middle School Lady Saints softball team ended their regular season last week with a pair of wins against Watertown and a narrow loss against Gordonsville.
On Monday, April 17, the ladies took on Watertown in the first of two games. Watertown would get the early lead, but DMS would soon pull away.
Watertown scored one run at the top of the first, but the Lady Saints would get rolling at the bottom of the second. Allie Estes got a walk, then Sophie Adcock singled on a bunt to the pitcher. Estes would steal third on a passed ball, while Adcock took second, and later Brooklyn Fuson singled on a line drive to left as Estes and Adcock scored.
Maggie Hendrixson then singled on a grounder to left, followed by a single by Lakelyn Nelson on a bunt to the pitcher. Lillie Young singled on a grounder to short as Fuson scored, then Hannah Brown singled on a line drive to center, catching Young at second, but allowing Hendrixson to cross the plate. The Lady Saints were up 4-1.
Watertown would add another run at the top of the third, but the Lady Saints would catch fire at their next at bat. After Adcock got a walk, Jerusalem Aldino grounded to fielder’s choice at short, catching Adcock at second. Brooklyn Fuson then hit a hard grounder and reached on an error by left field, as Aldino scored.
Hendrixson was up again, and this time tripled on a line drive to right, sending Fuson across the plate. Nelson singled on a grounder to the catcher, allowing Hendrixson to touch the plate. Young then hit a fly and reached on an error by left as Nelson scored. DMS was up 10-2.
Watertown would add one more run at the top of the fourth thanks to ab inside the park home run, but that would be their last gasp. The Lady Saints added three more to the board at the bottom of four.
Adcock singled on a bunt to third, then Aldino reached on a ground ball and an error by short as Adcock made it home. Hendrixson singled on a line drive to left, then Nelson grounded out to short as Aldino touched the plate. Young singled on a line drive to left as Hendrixson scored and the Lady Saints would take the 13-3 victory.
Liliana Judkins earned the win from the circle going four innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three and walking one.
During their second game, DeKalb would again come out on top. The game would be tied 2-2 at the end of one, then DMS would start to pull away.
In the second inning, Aldino took a base after a HBP, then Fuson tripled on a line drive to left as Aldino scored. Hendrixson would single on a ground ball to left as Fuson scored. Later, Young singled on a fly to second, followed by a single fly to short by Brown as Hendrixson touched home plate. Young would score after Judkins grounded into fielder’s choice at short, catching Brown at second. Estes would reach on a grounder and an error by short, then Adcock singled on a bunt to the catcher as Hannah Tobitt, running for Judkins, touched the plate. DMS was up, 7-2.
Watertown kept in the game, scoring two more runs at the bottom of two, then the Lady Saints started to put some distance on the scoreboard.
With two outs on the board, Nelson was hit by a pitch, then Young got a walk. Brown hit a fly and reached on an error by left, as Nelson scored. Judkins would walk, followed by Estes with a hard grounder and reaching on an error by second base. Brown and Young crossed the plate. Tobitt, again running for Judkins, would score on an error by third base, as Adcock was up to bat. DMS was up 11-4.
Watertown would score two more runs at the bottom of the third, then the Lady Saints would go three and out at the top of the fourth. Again, Watertown was not about to lay down, and they scored one more run at their next at bat.
That Lady Saints would get back on track at the top of the fifth. Young singled on a grounder to second, and later Judkins doubled on a line drive to right as Young scored. Estes and Adcock would each get a walk, then Aldino grounded to fielder’s choice at short, catching Adcock at second, but allowing Tobitt to score. Fuson then doubled on a hard ground ball to left as Estes and Aldino scored. Nelson would then triple on a hard grounder to right as Hendrixson and Fuson scored. Nelson would be caught at home trying to get home. DMS was up 17-7.
Watertown managed to score four more at the bottom of the inning, but the Lady Saints held on for the 17-11 victory. Judkins earned the win on the rubber, allowing 11 runs on nine hits over five innings, striking out six.
On Tuesday, the girls would fall in their final game against Gordonsville. The game would be tied at 2 after the first inning, and would go all the way to the fifth. It was then that Gordonsville would go up 5-2, leaving DMS one last chance at bat.
Young would get a walk, then Brown singled on a hard grounder to short. Judkins then singled on a grounder to right as Young scored. Estes would fly out to center, but Brown scored after tagging up. With two outs on the board, Adcock doubled on a fly to left, then Aldino grounded out to short. Gordonville claimed the narrow 5-4 win.
Judkins took the loss, allowing six hits and five runs over five innings, striking out five.