Dillon’s Lady Wildcats clenched the Region 8-2A title on Monday night with a 10-8 win over Waccamaw in Aynor.

After Marion forfeited to Dillon on Friday night, Dillon and Waccamaw each held a 9-1 record in the region, forcing a tie-breaker game in Aynor on Monday. The Lady Wildcats jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning and added two runs in the second and four in the third to lead 7-0 after three innings. Dillon added three more runs in the top of the fifth, but Waccamaw’s Lady Warriors finally got on the board with four runs in the bottom of the inning to trail Dillon 10-4. The Warriors managed four more runs in the sixth but Dillon kept them away from home in the seventh to maintain a 10-8 win and the region title.

Darby Hamer picked up the win on the mound, pitching a complete game and allowing 13 hits, six earned runs, and one walk. She struck out four and had three hit by pitch. Hallie Butler took the loss for Waccamaw.

At bat, Ma’Kayla Drake, Erin Bailey, and Da’Kerhia Samuel each had a home run to lead the Wildcats. Drake went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored; Bailey went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and three runs scored; and Samuel went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. The Wildcats had 12 hits in the win.

Melaina Moore led Waccamaw, going 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Riley Morris went 1-for-2 with a RBI and two runs, and Olivia Dunlap went 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Waccamaw had 10 hits in the loss.

Dillon improved to 19-3 overall and 10-1 in the region as they clinched the Region 8-2A title. Waccamaw finished up the regular season with a 22-4 record and a 9-2 record in the region.

Dillon was ranked second in the state in the latest poll of Class 2A coaches, and the Wildcats head into region play with a strong roster, including three strong pitchers in Darby Hamer, Shaquailla German, and Taylor Price. Hamer is 7-1 this season, striking out allowing 36 hits in 51.6 innings pitched, with just nine earned runs and eight walks. German has six wins, allowing 13 hits and striking out 64 in 35.3 innings while walking 29. Price has five wins with 25 outs, 13 hits, and seven walks in 24 innings.

At bat, Shayna Covington leads the Wildcats with 34 hits in the regular season, while German and Tara Grimsley each have 29. All three have averages of .500 or better. German has hit four homers this season, with Hamer recording three and Grimsley, Erin Bailey and Da’Kerhia Samuel hitting two homers each. The Wildcats have 16 total home runs this season. German also picked up 30 RBI this season with Grimsley picking up 27 and Hamer bringing in 20. Hamer and Rebecca Callahan each tripled this season, and Grimsley hit 10 doubles with Samuel and German hitting nine doubles each.

Covington scored 32 of Dillon’s 186 runs this season, with Grimsley scoring 28 and German scoring 26. Covington also stole 17 bases for the Wildcats this season, and Shar’Asia Samuel stole 10.

In the field, German has made 67 put outs, with Hamer making 25 and Ma’Kayla Drake making 19. Price has made 29 assists in the field and Covington and Callahan have made 17 each.

Playoff action begins tonight with the Lady Wildcats hosting Lake Marion at 6:30 p.m. in the first round of the District VIII playoffs. Timberland will host Aynor in the other District VIII game. The winners of each game will play each other in the second round on Saturday.

Be sure to check thedillonherald.com for the latest playoff updates on all our local teams!