By Travis Motes
The Lady Eagles started up their 2010 season with a scrimmage against Nathaniel Greene and came away with a 11-9 victory. The Eagles played host to Nat Greene on a steamy Tuesday, July 27th and were scheduled to play two five inning games but decided on a one seven inning game because of the heat.
The Lady Eagles jumped out early on the Patriots, as Senior Laura Cardell struck out two of the first four batters in the top of the first. In the bottom half Senior Amy Wells scored off a double to left field from Jessica Wimberly. The Eagles left two stranded before moving to the 2nd inning. Cardell struck out three more Patriots but also issued three walks and two runs. The Lady Eagles hit two hard line drives and struck out to close out the 2nd.Things got exciting in the third as two Patriots were tagged out at home by senior catcher Wimberly, while sophomore Jerica Burnett got the other unassisted out at first. The Eagles started to turn the heat up stealing eight bases, two at home, and scoring twice to take a 3 – 2 lead to start the 4th. Cardell stayed hot striking out the first batter and then let Burnett take over as she got the next two batter out on a fly ball and another unassisted out at first. Sophomore Caitlin Wheeler drew a walk and was moved to third on a double by Burnett. Wheeler would score on a fielder’s choice by Wells and Burnett would steal home to extend the lead to three. Burnett would start the 5th inning on the mound but had some control issues and would be replaced by Wimberly. Burnett gave up one hit and three walks, while Wimberly walked her first two batters but battled back and struck out the last three.The Lady Eagles could not get the bats going and saw a 7 – 5 deficit on the board. Wimberly allowed two more runs in the sixth while giving up one hit and one walk. Then The Lady Eagles came alive scoring 6 runs in the bottom. Wheeler got things going with another walk and Burnett got another hard hit single up the middle. Both Wheeler and Barnett would eventually steal home. Wells and Wimberly would draw walks and score off a 2 RBI single to right from Cardell to even the score. Sophomore Macy Wiggins drew a walk and would later score off a fielder’s choice by Senior Kellie Canady. With the Eagles up 11 – 9 all they had to do was stop the bats of the Patriots and that’s what Wimberly did. Wimberly struck out two and issued a fly ball to Sub-Freshman Jessica Brett behind the plate.
” I was very proud of the girls today, they worked really hard and battled through the high heat. With only twelve players and two being out on a cross country meet, everyone had to play. There was no way to sub in for a rest today. We played this game to try and find our strengths and weaknesses, and we found them. We have a lot to work on before we open with Bulloch next Tuesday. But I am very excited about what I saw today. We are going to be very competitive in single A play” said Coach Motes. Motes, who is taking over the Lady Eagles this year, says he still has a lot to learn about the fast pace softball. “It is different from baseball but I’m very excited and am looking forward to the challenge ahead of me.”
Cardell faced four innings and struck out six,walked four, gave up two unearned runs and no hits. Wimberly faced three innings striking out six walked four and gave up two runs and one hit.
The 2010 Lady Eagles will be lead by seniors Laura Cardell, Jessica Wimberly, and Kellie Canady. The Lady Eagles will host Bulloch Academy on Tuesday August 10 at 4:00 in the regular season opener.
