CONYERS -- Eastside had troubles getting on bases all day, as the Lady Eagles took a double loss to Heritage and Wayne County during an away softball non-region tournament on Saturday.
Lady Patriots 8, Lady Eagles 1
After two innings that produced no runs for both teams, the game looked promising as Eastside’s right fielder Hannah Riley scored the first run of the game in the top of the third inning. She was able to get to first base from a dead ball and was brought home by her fellow Lady Eagles.
This would be Eastside’s only run of the day.
Heritage’s power pitcher, Faith Hager and the Lady Patriot defense relentlessly held and defended their home field against Eastside for the rest of the game, making room of their offense to score two runs at the bottom of the fifth inning. Mallory Smith and Jahara Biggs extended the lead to 2-1 before going into the sixth inning, where Heritage (5-4) exploded and, thereafter, dominated the game.
Along with Smith and Buggs: Asia Buckins, Claire Williams, Glory Seay and Gracie Wilson scored the remainder of the game’s runs at the bottom of the sixth frame. The ladies of Heritage scored these runs back-to-back, with bases loaded, with only one out. They also started to run through their lineup a second time before receiving two more outs. The Lady Eagles could not respond at the top of the seventh inning.
Eastside’s Kailey Rusk pitched for the first game.
Lady Yellowjackets 4, Lady Eagles 0,
Not even an hour later, the Lady Eagles were back on the field, this time facing Wayne County (8-0). Ultimately, Eastside couldn’t muster enough offense to make it to second base safely for the entire game.
Wayne County took full advantage of their opportunity, scoring four runs in six innings. Ashely Burkhalter was the first to get on base for the Lady Yellowjackets. Burkhalter made it to first base from a ball count and was brought home base by base by her teammates.
Eastside’s Dani Fairey pitched for the second game.
Logann Echols brought the game to 2-0 at the top of the fourth inning. She then stole second base as Mackenzie Kagee was at bat. Then, with a Kagee double, Echols made her way to homeplate. Kagee later made it back to homeplate, where she brought the score to 3-0.
Echols also scored a run at the top of the sixth inning. Starting her team off right in the lineup, Echols hit a single and advanced two plates with a Kagee double. Kagee was sent home safely for the 4-0 winning score with a Haley Denison sacrifice.
Eastside will travel to Class AA Social Circle (5-1) Tuesday before getting the rest of the week to regroup before entering the remainder of the region schedule.
Newton falls to defending region champ Grayson
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A second inning buzzsaw halted Newton softball’s quest to go 2-0 in region play, as defending Region 8-AAAAAAA champion, Grayson, shook off a slow start on its way to an 11-2 win in five innings against the Lady Rams last Thursday.
Newton’s Grace Dial and Ty’liyah Hardeman each had an RBI, but Grayson ripped Newton pitching with 14 hits, including three hits and four RBIs by Conner Bacheler.
Newton will be back on the field Tuesday when it hosts another region opponent in Archer with first pitch scheduled for 5:55 p.m.
Lady Tigers trying to regain momentum
Alcovy (2-7) went 1-2 this past week, defeating Lithonia at home, 17-0 on Monday and then falling 11-1 and 15-0 on the road to region foes, Evans and Heritage-Conyers, respectively.
The Tigers will again host a Monday game this week when Miller Grove comes to town for a 5 p.m. first pitch. Then two region games will follow, at Greenbrier on Tuesday and home Thursday against Grovetown.
