Dillon’s Lady Wildcats defeated Latta’s Lady Vikings 4-2 on Monday night in non-conference varsity softball action.

Latta opened the game with two runs in the top of the first with Camryn Sawyer reaching on an error and stealing second. With one out, Macy Hyatt doubled to score Sawyer, and proceeded to score on passed balls for the 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Latta’s Dori Webster gave up a single to Shaquailla German but struck out three Wildcats to end the inning.

The Wildcats returned the favor in the top of the second, striking out two Vikings and getting Genesis Anderson out on a fly ball. Da’Kerhia Samuel singled to lead off the bottom of the inning but went out on a fielder’s choice hit from Brittany Miller. Johnna Rogers reached on an error to advance Miller to second, but with two outs, Auh’Kieria Smiling hit into a fielder’s choice that put Miller out on the way to third to end the inning.

Sawyer flew out to open the top of the third, and Kyra Grant singled but went out when she was caught stealing second. But the Vikings started a rally with Hyatt and Webster both getting singles and Kaleigh Caulder drawing a walk to load the bases. But Kurstin Hopkins hit a grounder to end the inning with the runners stranded.

Dillon got on the board in the bottom of the third with Shar’Asia Samuel hitting a single. With one out, German drew a walk, and Erin Bailey hit into a fielder’s choice that put out Samuel on the way to third for the second out. Da’Kerhia Samuel and Miller followed with singles to start bringing in the runners and Johnna Rogers singled but went out on the way to second to end the rally with Dillon up 3-2.

Both teams went three up, three down in the fourth inning, and Grant was the only Viking to reach base in the top of the fifth as she drew a walk. In the bottom of the fifth, Dillon led off with a grounder from Adoshia Graves, but German singled and scored on a triple from Bailey. Da’Kerhia Samuel reached on an error, but Miller flew out and Samuel was put out on the way to second to leave the Wildcats up 4-2.

Dillon’s Emilee Price reached on a hit by pitch in the sixth, but was put out on a fielder’s choice hit from Smiling. Latta went three up, three down in the sixth and seventh innings to allow the Wildcats to preserve the win.

On the mound for Dillon, Shaquailla German earned the win, pitching four innings with just one walk, striking out six. Johnna Rogers pitched three innings for the Wildcats, giving up four hits, two runs, and two walks, striking out four.

On the mound for Latta, Dori Webster pitched six innings for eight hits, four runs, four earned runs, one walk, and one hit by pitch, striking out six.

At bat for the Wildcats, Shaquailla German went 2-for-2 with a walk; Erin Bailey went 2-for-3 with a triple, one RBI, and one run scored; Da’Kerhia Samuel went 3-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored; Brittany Miller went 2-for-3 with one RBI; Johnna Rogers went 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI; Shar’Asia Samuel went 1-for-4; Emilee Price reached on a hit by pitch; and Auh’Kieria Smiling had two fielder’s choice hits.

At bat for the Vikings, Macy Hyatt went 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI; Kyra Grant went 1-for-2, also reaching on a walk; Dori Webster was 1-for-3; Kaleigh Caulder drew two walks and had a stolen base; Camryn Sawyer reached on an error, stole a base, and scored one run; and Arica Gandy scored one run for Latta.

Dillon ends the regular season with a 14-5 overall record, while Latta wrapped up the regular season with a 22-5 record overall.

The Lady Wildcats finished second in Region 8-2A and will enter the Class 2A District V playoffs tonight. The defending state champs will host Timberland at 6:30 p.m. In the other District V bracket, Whale Branch is set to travel to Barnwell, the Region 5-2A champ.

The Lady Vikings, who finished first in Region 8-A with an 8-0 record, will host Timmonsville tonight in the first round of the Class A District VIII tournament. Baptist Hill will travel to face Branchville in the other District VIII bracket.

The second round of playoff action is set for Saturday, May 2. Be sure to visit us here at thedillonherald.com for the latest playoff updates!