SEARK launches softball program with two victories

Southeast Arkansas College launched its softball program with the best possible result Monday — a doubleheader sweep.

SEARK run-ruled Mississippi Delta Community College 9-1 in five innings and then 19-2 in a seven-inning game Monday in Moorhead, Miss., officially launching the Pine Bluff college’s athletic era.

“The girls played really, really well,” SEARK Coach Belinda Hendrix said. “Obviously we have a lot of things to work on, but we did an excellent job executing the plays we were trying to call.”

Chiara Olison was credited with the pitching victory in the first game, as well as the first grand slam in Sharks’ history in the second. Averie Ashford collected the first hit and first stolen base for the team.

The first game was tied at 1-1 through two innings before the Sharks broke it wide open with a 3-run third and added 4 in the fourth. Averie Ashford drove in a run in the fifth.

Kirsten Schumann, Averie Ashford and Olison each totaled 2 hits. Olison drove in 2 runs at the plate and, in the circle, allowed an earned run on 5 hits and struck out 2 in all five innings.

Olison stayed busy in the second game and drove in 5 runs on 3 hits. One of those smashes was a grand slam to center field as part of a 10-run seventh.

Averie Ashford batted 4 for 5 and scored 3 runs. Amber Racca, Kyla Ashford, Reagan Sword, Lilly Lee and Schumann each had 2 hits, with Schumann driving home 3 runs.

Ashlyn Powell struck out 4 and allowed 2 earned runs on 4 hits in 5 innings for the win. Chelsea Zizzo threw 2 perfect innings.

SEARK is scheduled to play in a tournament in Youngsville, La., Friday and Saturday, but that tournament could be called off due to possible inclement weather, according to Hendrix. The Sharks’ next date after that would be a doubleheader at the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain in Mena on Feb. 6.

The first home game is scheduled for Feb. 18 against Mississippi’s Copiah-Lincoln Community College.