The DeKalb Middle School Lady Saints Softball team had a scare early last week as they held on to defeat Upperman. The game would end up being decided by just one run.
On Monday, April 12, the Lady Saints were on the road in Putnam County where they took on a strong Upperman team. DMS would go three and out to start the game, then Upperman jumped out to an early lead. One runner scored after a wild pitch by Kora Kilgore, then a double off of a pop fly to right fielder Adreana Cuevas led to another run. By the end of the inning, Upperman was up, 2-0.
Upperman added another run at the bottom of the second, when a runner scored off of an error by Kilgore. Upperman was up, 3-0.
The Lady Saints finally got things going at the top of the third. With two outs, Zayleigh Washer advanced after being hit by a pitch, then Kilgore singled on a ground ball to right field. Next, Avery Agee singled on a ground ball to right field, bringing Washer home, then Bryna Pelham singled on a ground ball to left field, as Kilgore scored. After that, Hannah Brown hit a ground ball and reached on an error by second base, as Agee and Pelham crossed home. The Lady Saints took the 4-3 lead.
DMS would continue in the fourth inning, when Kilgore hit a pop fly and reached on an error by right field, allowing Cuevas to score. Then, Agee doubled on a pop fly to center field, as Washer came home. The Lady Saints increased their lead, 6-3.
Upperman was still in the game and inched their way back at their next at bat. Another wild pitch led to a runner stealing home, then an error by Katherine Knowles off of a ground ball resulted in another run. Upperman cut the lead, 6-5.
The Lady Saints would pad their lead as they started the fifth inning. As Laurie Rigsby was up to bat, Brooklyn Fuson scored off of an error by the shortstop, then Rigsby hit a ground ball and reached on an error by first base, as Knowles scored. Kilgore would ground out next, but drive Rigsby home, then Washer scored on wild pitch. DMS commanded a 10-5 lead.
Upperman had one last chance at bat and would make things interesting. With bases loaded, a walk resulted in one score, then a triple on a line drive to left fielder L Rigsby added three more to the board. Upperman cut the lead, 10-9, but that is where the score would stay. DMS took the victory.
Kilgore earned the win for the Lady Saints, going five innings, and allowing nine runs on two hits and striking out 13. DMS collected eight hits on the day, with Washer, Agee, and Pelham each getting two.
On Thursday, April 15, the Lady Saints claimed victory over Cannon County as Kora Kilgore threw a no-hitter.
Cannon would get on the board first, after a walked runner scored off of a wild pitch. That would be the only point of the game for the visiting team, as the Lady Saints jumped out big at their first turn at bat.
After Zayleigh Washer doubled on a line drive to center field, Annabella Dakas singled to center field, driving Washer home. Kilgore would then single as Dakas touched the plate. Later, Bryna Pelham doubled on a line drive to center, sending Adreana Cuevas home, then Hannah Brown grounded out to shortstop, allowing Avery Agee to score. After that, Brooklyn Fuson grounded out to second baseman as Pelham scored. By the end of the first inning, the Lady Saints were up 5-1.
And that’s where the score would stay. The game would go into the fifth inning, ending with a 5-1 win for the Lady Saints.
Kilgore took the win, going five innings, allowing one run on zero hits and striking out 13. Zayleigh Washer went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Saints in hits.
