By Craig Brown
The Dillon Christian School Lady Warriors opened their season Tuesday in Kingstree in a region matchup against the Williamsburg Academy Lady Stallions, falling 16-1.
The Warriors return only three starters from last season and are very young with six sophomores in the lineup. Returning starters and team captains Lauren Lee, Kathryn Brown, and Sarah Fitzgibbon will be guiding this young team that will improve as the season progresses.
The Stallions are very experienced with many players on travel ball teams and have played some non-region games already this season, recently coming off tournament play and facing several teams last weekend. The Stallions are well balanced overall with several players returning from last season’s team that lost the state championship to Marlboro Academy.
The Stallions jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning on Tuesday and increased the lead to 10-0 in the second. The Warriors stopped the top of the Stallion batting order in the third inning and picked up their lone run in the top of the fourth inning with Lauren Lee crossing the plate from a fielder’s choice hit by Kathryn Brown. Brown advanced to second on a bad throw to the base. Ansley Hamer sent the next pitch to deep left field but the Stallions veteran left fielder made a good catch to end the Warrior mini rally.
Aided by four errors and four hits, the Stallions added six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to move ahead 16-1 and end the game on the mercy rule.
Warrior head coach Norm Norton will have his team seasoned the next time these two teams meet in Dillon and the game should be entertaining.
On the mound for the Stallions, Whitney Ward posted eight strikeouts with one base hit and two walked batters, allowing one run scored for the win.
On the mound for the Warriors, Jamie Carpenter posted three strikeouts and gave up 16 hits with two walked batters and 16 runs scored in the loss. Carpenter is new to the mound and this game should not reflect on future games as the season progresses.
At bat for the Stallions, Caroline Morris was 4-for-4; Mary Adams was 3-for-4 with four RBIs; Whitney Ward was 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs; Mildred Easler was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs; Katie Kellahan was 2-for-4 with two RBIs; Amanda Goodman was 1-for-1; Emma Easler was 1-for-2 with a RBI; Mary Godwin had three RBIs on an error; Joy Carsten got to base on three errors and a walk with one RBI; and Ashley Richardson got to base on a walk.
At bat for the Warriors, Lauren Lee was 1-for-2; Kathryn Brown got to second base on an error, adding a RBI; and Jamie Carpenter and Greta Seay made it to base on walks.
The Warriors will be at home tonight at 3:00 p.m. for a region game with Carolina Academy. Make plans to attend!
