Parkers Chapel hosts Bradley in non conference softball action.
PARKERS CHAPEL - Parkers Chapel freshman Drue Thomas hit a home run and was the winning pitcher Saturday as the Lady Trojans edged Bradley 8-7 in non-conference softball action. Parkers Chapel improved to 10-6 overall.
The Lady Trojans won despite giving up four unearned runs in the third.
“We had been playing well the last few games. Against Spring Hill and Rison, we played phenomenal softball,” said PC coach Elliot Jacobs.
“This was kind of a letdown game for us. I’m glad we fought through and won. But, we need to play better.”
Thomas and Savannah Slaughter teamed up in the circle for the Lady Trojans. Thomas pitched the first and second innings before Slaughter came in for the third and fourth. Thomas finished up, throwing the fifth, sixth and seventh to earn the victory. Thomas surrendered three runs, two earned, on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts in five innings. Slaughter gave up four unearned runs on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts in two innings.
Bradley scored a run in the first before PC answered with two in the bottom of the inning. The Lady Trojans added a run in the second. The Lady Bears took a 5-3 lead with the four-run third.
Jacobs blamed a combination of walks and errors.
“We weren’t focused enough to make those plays,” he said. “We didn’t have the focus that we needed to get the job done.”
PC tied the game in the bottom of the third and took the lead with two in the fourth and another run in the fifth. Bradley cut the lead to 8-7 with a run in the sixth and another in the top of the seventh. With runners on second and third, Thomas recorded the final out with a swinging strikeout.
Kylie Jones led PC’s offense, going 4-for-4 with a double, triple and two RBI. Thomas was 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a double. Taylor Fortune was 2-for-3 with a triple.
The Lady Trojans, who are 6-0 in conference, host Harmony Grove on Monday in a battle of the league leaders.
“We’ve got to come to the park ready to play on Monday,” said Jacobs.