The Latta Lady Vikings defeated the Buford Lady Yellow Jackets 8-2 in the Lower State playoff game played in Lancaster on Monday, May 16, to face the winner of the Marion and Buford game in Latta on Friday, May 20.
In the top of the first inning, Latta jumped out to an early 2-0 when Ragan Bethea singled to score a run.
Buford responded in the bottom half of the first inning with a run of their own to cut the lead to 1, 2-1.
Latta’s Jena Stutler connected for a home run in the top of the second inning to give Latta a 3-1 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, Katelyn Johnson singled on a line drive to center followed by Erika Roberts who doubled on a line drive to the center fielder. Johnson advanced to third base. Hendley Ann McIntyre sacrificed. Erika Roberts advanced to third. Jena Stutler hit a home run and picked up 2 rbi to give Latta a 6-1 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning, Averi Lovell garnered a walk. Ragan Bethea sacrificed, and Averi Lovell advanced to second. Katelyn Johnson singled to center, and Averi Lovell scored to give Latta a 7-1 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Summer Morgan singled. Carlie Faulkenbury garnered a walk, and Summer Morgan advanced to second. Aspen King struck out swinging. Emma Timmons hit a grounder to short, and Summer Morgan was out at third with Jaylin Larrimore advancing to advancing to second. Kyndal Thomas walked and both base runners advanced to load the bases. Caroline Plyler singled, and Jaylin Larrimore scored to cut the lead to 6, 8-2, which would be the final score.
Latta’s Jayla Jackson picked up the win. She pitched 6 innings and allowed 7 hits, 2 earned runs, walked 1, and struck out 1 in the win. Maddie Berry pitched the seventh inning to earn the save and allowed no runs, 1 hit, walked 1, and struck out 1.
Buford’s Olivia Vincent took the loss. She pitched the first 3.2 innings and allowed 8 hits, 6 earned runs, walked no one, and struck out 3. Laney Allen pitched 3.1 innings and allowed 5 hits, 2 earned runs, walked 1, and struck out no one.
Latta managed 13 hits in the game with Jena Stutler with 2 home runs, a triple, 3 rbi, and scored 3 runs in 4 at-bats. Katelynn Johnson was 3 for 4 with a rbi and scored a run, and Jayla Jackson was 2 for 3 with a rbi. Elizabeth Brown had 2 singles and a rbi in 4 at-bats. Ragan Bethea had a single and a rbi in her 3 at-bats. Averi Lovell had a single and scored 2 runs in her 3 at-bats. Hendley Ann McIntyre had a rbi in her 2 at-bats. Erika Roberts had a double and scored a run in her 1 at-bat. Maddie Berry scored a run in her 4 at- bats.
Buford connected for 8 hits in the game with Kyndal Thomas with a double, a single, a rbi, and a walk in her 3 at-bats. Summer Morgan had a double and a single in her 3 at-bats. Caroline Plyler had a single and a rbi in her 4 at-bats. Aspen King had 2 singles and scored a run in her 4 at-bats. Brianna Vincent had a single in her 4 at-bats. Carlie Faulkenbury had a walk in her 1 plate appearance. Jaylin Larrimore scored a run in the game.
Latta committed 3 errors in the game. Buford did not commit an error.
Latta is 25-1 overall and 5-0 in the playoffs.
Buford is 20-5 overall.
Latta will play Friday, May 20, for the Lower State Championship in Latta.
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