The Eastside softball team won its regional opener with a 2-0 shutout against the Elbert County at the Eagles Nest on Thursday.

 Eastside's ace pitcher Amanda Henderson was two batters shy of pitching a perfect game, giving up just one hit and a walk in the complete game effort.

 Henderson gave up the hit and the walk early in the fourth inning, but settled down to pitch three perfect innings to record the shutout.

 "Amanda is our only pitcher," said head coach Heather Wood. "She has a lot of weight on her shoulders this year because we graduated three pitchers last year."

 Henderson helped her cause at the plate as well, going 2 for 2 with Kayla Jones and Sierra Petree contributing at the plate as well.

 "We struggled at the plate," Wood said. We didn't hit the ball very well with runners in scoring position.

 "We work on hitting every day. We've got to keep working. It's early and we're still trying to get the kinks out. I think we'll be okay."

 Henderson was protected very well with a solid defense behind her, especially up the middle with Erica Cronic and Jones turning in solid efforts at second base and shortstop respectively.

 Kenya Shakoar's sure handed glove at first and Petree on third round out a solid infield that helped Henderson keep the Lady Blue Devils at bay.

 The outfield turned in a solid effort as well as Brianna Chambers, Jqurya Blue and Kayla Bruno played every flay ball well in the outfield.

 But the pitching was the key. The defense didn't have to work as hard with Henderson registering 14 strikeouts versus only two walks for an almost perfect outing.

 Although the Lady Eagles finished the game with two runs on four hits, they committed no errors. And while the offense did just enough to pick up Henderson, Wood is pleased with her team's overall effort.

 "It's important to get this first win," Wood said. "It sets a positive tone for us, but we've got to get our bats going."

 After a 4-1 start to the season and an opening region win, the Lady Eagles are playing well as they enter into the meat of the schedule.

 Eastside will have to get another strong outing from Henderson and their bats will have to come alive when they face Oconee County and Morgan County next week.