Lady Panthers prove their toughness
Last week was a trying, but also a rewarding week for the Ridgeland Lady Panthers, who shook off a home loss to county rival LaFayette to go 3-1 against tough competition in a weekend tournament in Atlanta.
Ridgeland 8, Pickens 5
On Tuesday, the Lady Panthers picked up a region victory in Jasper.
Ridgeland scored three in the top of the first inning, but gave up two runs in the bottom of the second. They finally got back on the board with four in the top of the fifth and tacked on an insurance run in the sixth.
The Lady Panthers rapped out 14 hits, including three each from Haley Sandridge, Ciera Foster and Katie Davis. Kiera Foster had two hits and drove in three runs.
Grayson James tripled and brought in a run, while Whitney Boehm had one hit and knocked in two.
Freshman Kelsey Adams went the distance in the circle, allowing five earned runs on four hits and six walks. She finished with three strikeouts.
LaFayette 11, Ridgeland 7
On Thursday, in a battle for first place in Region 6-AAAA, the Lady Panthers fought back from a 5-1 deficit, pulling to within a single run twice. However, unbeaten LaFayette refused to give in and took the victory in a matchup of state-ranked teams.
Ridgeland got the Lady Ramblers’ lead down to 5-4 and, later, 8-7, but three runs in the top of the seventh would finally be enough to put LaFayette over the top.
Boehm paced Ridgeland with three hits. Kiera Foster had two hits and knocked in two runs, while freshman Erin Hughes also had two singles. Adams got the start and took the loss as No. 1 starter Hailey Carroll was one of two starters sick and unavailable to play.
Ridgeland 5, North Paulding 4
Down 4-1 going into the fifth inning on Friday, the Lady Panthers plated four runs to take the lead for good.
Kiera Foster and Ciera Foster had two RBIs each, while pitcher Adams allowed just three earned runs on five hits in six innings to get the win.
Ridgeland 5, Woodstock 2
Davis and Boehm both knocked in a pair of runs in Friday’s nightcap, while Anna Jenkins toed the rubber in the circle.
Jenkins got the victory, giving up just one earned run on five hits in six innings of work.
Facing the No. 2-ranked team in the state’s highest classification, on the Lady Trojans’ own home field, the Lady Panthers put up five runs each in the third and fourth innings and went on to the win.
The Foster twins, along with Sandridge and Laine Hicks each had three hits, while Hicks and Danielle Cross picked up two RBIs apiece.
Adams allowed 10 hits over six innings, but gave up just four earned runs in the victory. Ridgeland pounded out 18 hits, while Lassiter hurt itself with five errors.
Alexander 9, Ridgeland 4
Tied 2-2 entering the bottom of the fourth, the No. 2-ranked team in Class AAAAAA pushed home six runs to take control for good. Davis and Ciera Foster had three hits each, while Sandridge laced her third triple of the weekend.
Jenkins, one of three pitchers used by Ridgeland in the game, started and went three innings, but took the loss.
Ridgeland (10-3 overall, 3-1 in Region 6-AAAA) will look to stay near the top of the standings on Thursday as they host Southeast Whitfield at 5:55 p.m.