The Latta 10 U fell short in the quest for a softball state championship on Wednesday, July 19, in Marion as Moncks Corner dealt them a 2-1 loss in the first game to force a second game for the title and a 4-1 loss in the second and final game.
Earlier in the week Latta handed Moncks Corner the first loss of the year.
The Latta 10 U team can be proud of their season as the state’s runners-up.
Moncks Corner’s Bree McMillan allowed 3 hits, 1 earned run, struck out 2, and walked 2.
Latta’s Paige Sherman allowed 6 hits, 4 runs of which 2 were earned, struck out 6, and walked no one.
In the top of the first inning in the second game Moncks Corner retired Latta 1-2-3 before placing 3 runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning. Moncks Corner’s lead-off batter, Laincy Amaker, arrived at first on a juggled catch. Bree Mcmillan, sacrificed bunted to advance the runner to second.Riley Guerry for Moncks Corner hit one to center for a double and the first rbi of the game. Mackinzie Berndon hit one by second for a single and advanced to second on a throw to place runners at second and third with only one out. Sophie Whitley hit one up the middle for a single and a rbi. Alexis Ruff hit a grounder by third and ended up on second with a rbi that gave Moncks Corner a 3-0 lead.
Latta’s lone run came in the top of the third inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning Sophie Whitley for Moncks Corner hit a slow grounder to first and beat the throw and advanced to second when Eva Morgan hit one to third and was thrown out at first. Alexis Ruff hit a grounder by third and ended up on second with a rbi that gave Moncks Corner a 4-1 lead.
Latta’s Emily Smith was perfect at-the-plate with a hit and a run scored in one at-bat while Madison Griffey was also perfect with one hit in one at-bat. Madison Kersey garnered a hit in 2 at-bats. Moncks Corner’s Sophie Whitley was perfect at-the-plate with 2 hits and a run scored in 2 at-bats while Alexis Ruff also connected for 2 hits in 2 at-bats.
Riley Guerry and Mackinzie Berdon each garnered a hit in 2 at-bats.