The Dillon Lady Wildcats defeated Battery Creek 7-6 in 8 innings in varsity softball in Dillon on Monday, May 9.
Tiffany Dwyer was the winning pitcher.  She pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed 2 hits and walked 1. Tori Grimsley and Marissa Tyndall both saw action in the pitching chore for Dillon.
Alexis Ortiz was credited with the loss.  She pitched 8 innings and allowed 14 hits, 7 runs, and struck out 3.
With 2 outs in the bottom of the first inning, Marissa Tyndall hit 1 to right and managed to score to give Dillon an early 1-0 lead. Brittany Miller fouled a ball that Battery Creek’s catcher dove into the brick fence head first in an effort to make the catch.  After a brief delay the catcher resumed her duties and continued to catch the entire ball game.
In the top of the second Misha Gee hit a grounder by first that was fielded by Johnna Rogers on a good defensive play but the throw was off and the runner made it safely to first. Emily Cosby hit 1 to left for a double and a rbi to knot the game at 1. Battery Creek’s #13 hit 1 to center and picked up a double and a rbi to give Battery Creek a 2-1 lead.
Tori Grimsley led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a single over third. A passed ball advanced Grimsley to second. Johnna Rogers punched 1 to right for a single to place runners on the corners for Dillon. Rogers stole second base. With 2 outs, Taylor Blackmon punch 1 to right for a double and 2 rbi. Auh’Kieria Smiling connected for a triple to left and picked up a rbi and Dillon led 4-2 after 4 innings.
Battery Creek’s #2 garnered a walk.
With 2 outs, Dillon calls a meeting at the mound.
On a passed ball,  #2 for Battery Creek advanced to second. Battery Creek’s #7 dropped 1 in short left and picked up a rbi to close the gap to 1 run, Dillon 4 and Battery Creek 3. With runners on first and second, Marissa Tyndall came in for Tori Grimsley as pitcher. Battery Creek’s #21 hit a grounder to third and the runner was out at third on a fielder’s choice to end the inning.
#14 for Battery Creek garnered a lead-off walk to begin the top of the sixth inning. Jessica Shipley, #1, sacrificed a bunt to advance the runner to second. #15 for Battery Creek connected a hot grounder that was deflected by the pitcher, Marissa Tyndall, to place runners on the corners. Battery Creek’s #11 hit 1 by the shortstop for a rbi and runners were now on first and second with 2 outs. #2 for Battery Creek stole second base, and a Battery Creek runner was caught between third and home in a run-down but managed to score and base runners were on second and third. Dillon’s third baseman committed an error, and a run was scored. After 5 1/2 innings Battery  Creek was up 6-4.
Auh’kieria Smiling led off the bottom of the seventh inning with 1 up the middle for a single.  A’Doshia Graves popped up 1 to the shortstop who tossed the ball to first in an attempted double play but the runner, Smiling advanced to second. Marissa Tyndall hit 1 to the left field fence for a double and a rbi to close the gap to 1 run lead for Battery Creek. On a passed ball Tyndall advances to third. Brittany Miller hit a grounder by the shortstop to tie the game at 6. Dillon’s #2 is inserted into the game as a courtesy runner for Miller. Dillon’s #2 managed to steal second.
After 7 innings of play the game was knotted at 6.
In the bottom of the eighth inning Skylar McCoy led off with a walk. Taylor Blackmon popped 1 over the pitcher for a single. Abby Briscoe is inserted as a courtesy runner for McCoy. With 2 outs, A’Doshia Graves hit a grounder to the shortstop and was safe at first. Dillon has runners on the corners. Marissa Tyndall it 1 to left to score Abby Briscoe from second to make the final Dillon 7 and Battery Creek 6.
Marissa Tyndall connected for 3 hits and 3 rbi in 5 at-bats. Auh’kieria Smiling was 3-5 with a triple and a rbi. Taylor Blackmon was 3-4 with 2 rbi.  Brittany Miller was 2-4 with a rbi.
Dillon is now 20-4 for the season.
Dillon will host TBA in the Class 2A lower state finals on Friday, May 13.

Here is a photo gallery from the Dillon v. Battery Creek by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon Herald: