Ridgeland falls to Gilmer, takes down Heritage to start 2016 season
After a tough season-opening loss in their Region 6-4A debut last Tuesday, the Ridgeland Lady Panthers rebounded in a big way this past Thursday by claiming a win at defending region champion Heritage.
Gilmer 8, Ridgeland 1
The season opener did not quite as planned for the Lady Panthers as the visiting Lady Bobcats put up three runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back in the Region 6-4A contest.
Gilmer tacked on three more runs in the top of the sixth before scoring two final runs in the seventh. Karli Loudermilk smacked a home run for Gilmer in the win.
Ridgeland managed its lone run on a Morgan Crawford RBI in the bottom of the sixth.
Allison Wallin worked all seven innings in the circle for the Lady Panthers, allowing nine hits. Only three of the runs she allowed were earned as Ridgeland hurt itself with three errors.
Taylor Boling fanned six and allowed four hits in a complete game victory for Gilmer.
Haley Sandridge had two of the Lady Panthers’ four hits, while Ciera Foster and Cameron Massey had one hit each.
Ridgeland 5, Heritage 4
The Lady Panthers (1-1 overall, 1-1 region) jumped out to a 4-0 lead on Thursday against Heritage starter Madison Morris after three innings as Ridgeland scored twice in both the first and third innings.
The Generals (1-1, 1-1) cut the lead in half on RBIs by Ali Roberts and Ansley Bice in the bottom of the third and fourth innings, but Ridgeland would tack on a solo run in the fifth.
It turned out to be a very important run as Heritage would push across two runs in their final at-bat. But Crawford would finally shut the door on the Generals to polish off the complete- game win.
The senior scattered nine hits and allowed four runs, three earned. She struck out just one batter, but didn’t issue a single walk.
Morris suffered the loss. She was replaced in the fourth inning by Taelyn Bates, who worked the final four innings.
Crawford also helped herself at the plate with two hits, including a double, one walk and three RBIs. Sandridge was 3 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored. Cortney Mooneyham drove in two runs with her one hit, while Kiera Foster, Ciera Foster and Hailey Carroll had one hit each.
Roberts and Shayla Ludy had two hits apiece for Heritage, while Ludy scored twice.
Ridgeland is slated to host Pickens on Tuesday before a trip to LaFayette on Thursday. They will face Gordon Central and Blessed Trinity in the opening night of the Dalton Lady Cat Invitational on Friday before facing Sonoraville, Chattahoochee and Sprayberry on Saturday.