The defending state 8-2A Aynor state softball champions defeated the Dillon Lady Wildcats 9-6 on Thursday, March 24, in Dillon.
Aynor scored 3 runs in the top of the third inning when #19 for Aynor hit a hopper over shortstop and picked up the first run of the evening and left the bases loaded.  An error in right field allowed 1 run to score.  Number 9 for Aynor hit a grounder to second and was out at first.  However, she picked up a rbi to make the score Aynor 3 and Dillon 0.
Dillon’s #17 Auh’kieria Smiling hit a grounder up the middle for a single to lead off the bottom of the third inning.  She advanced to second base on a slow grounder by Marissa Tyndall who was out at first. Smiling advanced to third while Erin Bailey was at bat. Bailey popped up a fly to first, and an error allowed her to be safe at first as Smiling crossed home plate for Dillon’s first run of the night. Ashley Phillips popped one over first that the second baseman committed an error that allowed Erin Bailey to score.  The game was tied at 3 when Skylar McCoy lined one to center.
#10 for Aynor picked up a walk and was later thrown out at second while attempting to steal.
After 3 1/2 innings the game was knotted at 3.
A’Doshia Graves picked up a walk and stole second for Dillon in the bottom of he fourth.  She advanced to third on a passed ball. She scored when Auh’kiera Smiling hit a grounder up the middle for a single and a rbi.  Dillon took the lead 4-3. Marissa Tyndall hit a chopper over third for a single. Dillon now had runners on first and second with only 1 out. Erin Bailey hit l up the middle for a single and a rbi. Dillon again had runners at first and second when the Aynor coaching staff made a pitching change.
Brooks Elliott was placed into the game to stop Dillon’s surge.
Elliott’s first batter, Brittany Miller, got a walk, and the bases were loaded with 1 out. Elliott struck out Ashley Phillips for out 2. However, she walked Skylar McCoy, and a runner scored. The bases were loaded. Elliott struck out Johnna Rogers to quelch the surge but Dillon led 6 to 3 after 4 innings.
Aynor’s #4 Morgan Elliott hit a grounder up the middle but Johnna Rogers made a good stop on the ball. #7 for Aynor struck out swinging. #19 for Aynor hit one to center for a double and a rbi. #2 for Aynor hit 1 over the centerfielder and also scored on a throw to third to tie the game at 6. #9 for Aynor hit 1 by third into left for a double. It’s now time for a pitching change as #4 Tori Grimsley takes the mound for Dillon.
Aynor’s runner on first stole second and on the next pitch Tori walked #6 for Aynor. #3 for Aynor bunted to third and was out at first but runners were now on second and third. On a passed ball the runner on third scored to give Aynor the lead at 7-6. #10 for Aynor picked up a walk and runners were on the corners. #5 for Aynor hit a grounder to second to end the inning.
Tori Grimsley led off the bottom of the fifth for the Lady Cats. She hit a line drive to second that was fielded on a great catch. A’Doshia Graves arrived at first on hot grounder to Aynor’s shortstop who committed an error. Graves was thrown out attempting to steal second. Auh’kieria Smiling picked up a single on a hit to second. The inning ended with a grounder to the pitcher from Marissa Tyndall. Aynor led 7 to 6.
It was a 1, 2, 3 inning for Aynor in the top of the sixth, and a 1, 2, 3 inning for Dillon in the bottom of the sixth.
Aynor’s #2 walked to start the top of the seventh. #9 for Aynor bunted and was out at first as the runner advanced to second.
A throwing error allowed 2 runs to score in the inning.  Aynor’s lead was 3.
Aynor’s pitcher faced 4 batters in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Aynor won 9-6.
Here is a photo gallery from the Dillon Softball v. Aynor game on Thursday, March 24.

PHOTOS BY JOHNNIE DANIELS/THE DILLON HERALD
Click once on a photo to bring it into a single screen and then again to enlarge.