The Latta Lady Vikings varsity softball team captured the Class 2A lower state championship 6-3 over the Andrews Lady Yellow Jackets in Latta on Friday, May 12.
Arica Gandy pitched the entire 7 innings and allowed 7 hits, 3 runs of which 2 were earned including a home run, walked 1, and struck out 2 to claim the win.
Carli McCants pitched 6 innings and suffered the loss. She allowed 14 hits, 6 earned runs including 2 home runs, and struck out 5.
After a scoreless first inning, the Yellow Jackets took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning off a single by Carli McCants who dropped one in over third for a single and a 2-run homerun by Elise Bruce.
Latta’s Camryn Sawyer drove one by third for a lead-off single in the bottom of the second inning. Genesis Anderson dropped one in over second for a single, and runners were on first and second with no outs. Lauren Webster bunted safely to load the bases with only one out. Kaleigh Caulder hit one by second for a single and 2 rbi to knot the score at 2.
Latta stopped Andrews in the top of the third retiring the side 1-2-3.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Vikings’ Madison Owens sent one over the fence for a home run to give Latta a 1-run lead. Macy Hyatt arrived at first on a grounder to the shortstop as the first baseman was pulled off the bag on the throw. Kaylie Miller was the courtesy runner for Owens. Kaylie Miller was out at second on a fielder’s choice by Genesis Anderson. Anderson stole second base. Riana Green popped one over the shortstop for a single and advanced to second on the throw as Anderson advanced to third.
In the bottom of the fourth inning Latta’s Kyra Grant dropped in one over first for a single. Grant managed to steal and ended up on third base. Madison Owens hit a 2-run home run to give Latta a 5-2 lead.
The Yellow Jackets’ Camie Sampson started the top of the sixth inning with a grounder hit to the shortstop who slowed the ball but was unable to stop it, and Sampson ended up on second on the throw.
Carli McCants hit a sacrifice fly to right to move the runner to third.
Elise Bruce dropped one in to right for a double and a rbi to cut Latta’s lead to 5-3.
The Vikings’ Madison Owens hit one up the middle for a single, and Macy Hyatt punched one over the left fielder and ended up on third with a rbi to make the score 6-3 in the bottom of the sixth.
Latta’s Madison Owens was perfect at the plate with 4 hits including 2 doubles, 2 singles, and 3 rbi in 4 at-bats while Macy Hyatt connected for a home run and 2 singles in 4 at-bats. Genesis Anderson garnered 2 singles in 3 at-bats. Riana Green and Lauren Webster each connected for a single in 3 at-bats while Kaleigh Caulder got a single and a rbi in 4 at-bats. Camry Sawyer and Kyra Grant each garnered a single in 4 at-bats.
Andrews’ Elise Bruce connected for a home run and 2 rbi in 3 at-bats while Carli McCants singled twice in 3 at-bats. Brooklyn Brewington garnered 2 singles in 4 at-bats, and Ashley Evans and Camie Sampson each singled in 3 at-bats.
The Latta Lady Vikings began the state playoffs on the road on Monday, May 15.
