The Latta Lady Vikings shut out the visiting Marion Lady Swamp Foxes 9-0 in varsity playoff action for Lower State in Latta on Friday, May 13.
Marion’s Hailie Lebiedz hit a hard grounder to short and arrived safely at first on an error. M. Williams hit one to deep left for a double, and Lebiedz advances to third. Lebiedz was caught in a run-down between third and home for out 1 by Elizabeth Brown. Anna Grace Page lined a low one to the pitcher for out 2, and she threw to second before M. Williams returned to complete the double play to end the Marion scoring threat.
Latta’s Jena Stutler hit a grounder to first for out 1 in the bottom of the first inning. Jayla Jackson hit a grounder to second that was fielded by the shortstop for out 2. With 2 outs on Latta, Maddie Berry dropped one in over second for a single. Averi Lovell hit a grounder to third that was stopped but not caught to place runners on first and second. Ragan Bethea hit a grounder by third for a double, and Maddie Berry scored the first run of the game as a throw went over second, and two runs scored to give Latta a 3-0 lead after 1 inning of play.
In the top of the second inning, S. Bethea garnered a lead-off walk. Bethea was caught stealing second. Saniyha Howard singled on a line drive to center. M. Malloy hit a grounder to second and reached on an error. S. Howard advanced to second. Maliyah Williams hit a grounder to the pitcher and was safe at first but the runner was out at third. Jashaya page lined one to left for out 3.
Latta was unable to score in the bottom of the second inning.
After Jayla Jackson faced K. Shaw who singled by third, Maddie Berry took the mound for Latta. Latta loaded the bases with no outs but a great catch at short began a double play by Latta as Jena Stutler threw to second before the runner returned to complete the double play.
There were some good defensive plays by both teams in this game. In fact, Latta had 2 double plays in the game, and Marion also had a double play.
Latta was unable to score in the bottom of the third inning.
Neither team could muster a score until Latta got on the scoreboard in bottom of the fifth inning with 5 runs with singles by Elizabeth Brown and Katelyn Johnson and a double by Jayla Jackson to take an 8-0 lead over the visitors.
Latta added the final score of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning to go up 9-0.
Latta committed 5 errors in the game while Marion committed 2 errors.
Latta’s Jayla Jackson was the winning pitcher. She pitched 2 innings and allowed 3 hits, walked 1, struck out no one, and did not allow a run. Maddie Berry pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 hits, walked 1, struck out 4, and did not allow a run to get the save for Latta.
Although Hailie Lebiedz started the game for Marion, Kynnedi Jenkins took the loss. Lebiedz pitched 4.1 innings and allowed 8 hits, 5 runs of which 3 were earned, walked no one, and struck out no one. Kynnedi Jenkins pitched 1.2 innings and allowed 4 hits, 4 earned runs, walked 3, and struck out 1.
Latta connected for 12 hits in the game with Katelyn Johnson with 2 singles and 2 rbi in 3 at-bats. Elizabeth Brown had a single and 2 rbi in 3 at-bats. Maddie Berry had 2 singles, a rbi, and scored 2 runs in her 3 at-bats. Jayla Jackson had a double, a single, a rbi, and scored 2 runs in her 4 at-bats. Ragan Bethea had a double, a rbi, and scored a run in her 4 at-bats. Jena Stutler had a double, a single and scored a run in her 4 at-bats. Averi Lovell had a single, 2 walks, and scored 2 runs n her 4 plate appearances. Emily Smith had a single in her 3 at-bats.
Latta’s Maddie Berry, Mason Lockamy, and Averi Lovell all had a stolen base in the game.
Marion’s Maliyah Williams had 2 doubles in her 4 at-bats. Saniyha Howard had 2 singles in her 3 at-bats. Kristin Shaw had a single in her 3 at-bats. Sheteira Bethea and Jashaya Page each garnered a walk in 2 at-bats. Marion’s Aynoni Malloy and Saniyha Howard each had a stolen base in the game. Latta is 24-1. Support your team.