Lady Hurricanes Continue Win Streak

To quote the infamous Lou Brown from the movie Major League, “…if we win today, it’s called ‘two in a row’. And if we win again tomorrow, it’s called a ‘winning streak’…It has happened before!”

The Lady Hurricanes have done exactly that. After falling in their opener by a single run to Lamar County, the softball team led by Coach Justin Hamby has strung together three straight wins, the latest being a 16-1 drubbing of AAAAA Warner Robins.

The runs came early as the bats started out hot. Hailey Roper started off the game with a ground ball to deep short, which she beat out for a single. Kelsey Vining reached on an error after a fly ball to right was mishandled and put runners on first and second with no outs. Haven Cannon then came up and lined a single back up the middle to plate Roper after a successful steal of third, and move Vining to third.

After a pop-out, Madelyn Taylor reached on an error after the second baseman dropped the ball while covering the bag. This drove in Vining. A wild pitch from Warner Robins allowed Cannon to score the third run of the inning and put the Hurricanes ahead to stay.

Vining was on the mound for the Lady Canes, and set the Lady Demons down in order in the bottom half of the first, striking out the leadoff batter before inducing two pop ups to retire the side. The Canes were able to add to their lead in the top of the next inning, but two base running errors slowed what could have been a big inning. Roper hit another ball to deep short, beating out the throw, and after advancing on a passed ball, scored on a line drive single to right by Vining.

Warner Robins was able to add their only run in the second, after another strikeout by Vining, a sharp single to left, followed by a fielder’s choice throw that was tardy to the bag put runners on first and second. The next batter lined a single to center, driving in the only run of the game for the Demons. A double play turned by the Canes quelled the rally though, with Vining catching a line drive back to the circle, and doubling up the runner that had been on first.

Both sides went quietly in the third, with the Canes still holding a 4-1 lead into the fourth. Gracie Roper led off the inning with a single over the head of the pitcher, and Jorden Reed reached after being hit by a pitch. A Kyla King sacrifice bunt moved up both runners, and then another single by Hailey Roper drove in her sister Gracie, and advanced Reed to third. Vining then singled to left, scoring Reed, which put the Lady Canes up 6-1.

With Cannon at the plate, Hailey stole home after a dropped pitch trickled away from the catcher, her hustle increased the lead to 7-1. With Hailey on the move, Vining moved up to third, and then Cannon walked. A prompt steal of second with McKenzie Diaz at the plate moved runners to second and third, still with only one out in the inning.

With the bases loaded, Warner Robins control towers should’ve issued a warning for flying objects, but the only things flying were Hurricane runners around the bases as control became an issue for the underhanded flingers for the Demons. With Taylor at the dish, two wild pitches scored two runs, and a sacrifice fly to center pushed across Diaz to unload the bases and put the score at 10-1.

Vining worked out of a two-runner on with no out situation in fourth, recording a line-out, a strikeout, and a pop-out to stop what could have been a big inning for the Demons. The Lady Canes were able to tack on six more runs in the fifth. Three walks, three hit-by-pitch, and an error allowed the six runs to cross, and put the final score at 16-1.

Hailey Roper and Kelsey Vining had the big day for the Lady Canes. Roper went 3 for 3 at the plate with 4 runs scored and an RBI. Vining went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI, along with her performance in the circle, picking up the win with four innings pitched, five hits allowed, one earned run, and only one walk to go along with four strikeouts.

The Hurricanes will have games Tuesday at George Walton, and at home against First Presbyterian on Wednesday. Come out and support the Lady Canes!