Dillon’s Lady Wildcats battled their through their first elimination game with a 7-2 win over Barnwell on Monday night in the Class AA lower state softball playoffs.

Both teams were scoreless in the first inning but Dillon added two runs each in the second and third innings to take a 4-0 lead. Barnwell scored two runs to get on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Lady Wildcats added three in the top of the seventh to secure the win.

Darby Hamer pitched a complete game, striking out five and allowing five hits, two runs, one earned run, and three walks. Barnwell’s N. Arnold took the loss for the Lady Warhorses, pitching six innings for six hits, four runs, three earned runs, and one out.

The Wildcats had nine hits in the win, with Erin Bailey going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run for two RBIs. Tara Grimsley went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs; Rebecca Callahan went 2-for-3; and Da’Kerhia Samuel went 1-for-3 with a triple and a RBI.

Barnwell had five hits as they were eliminated from the playoffs.

The Lady Wildcats improved to 23-4 as they prepared to travel to Silver Bluff on Wednesday night. The winner will move on to face Waccamaw on Friday for the lower state title.

Photos by Sandra McMillan. Click images below to view at full size!