By Joshua Price/Sports Editor
Piedmont High School scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to defeat Hokes Bluff, 4-3, on March 12 at Hokes Bluff.
Hokes Bluff sophomore Chelsea Malcheit led the game off with a single. Savannah Ward followed with a double, moving Malcheit to third base. Carlie Shields’ single up the middle scored Malcheit and the Lady Eagles led, 1-0.
Piedmont answered in the top of the second to knot the score at 1-1.
The Lady Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning with a home run, which bounced off the top of the left field fence guard.
Hannah Evans reached first base on a Piedmont throwing error in the bottom of the fifth inning, and stole second base on a passed ball. With two outs, eighth grade left fielder Madalene Jenkins slapped a single, scoring the speedy Evans to tie the game at 2-2.
Piedmont tagged Hokes Bluff starter Mallory Belyeu for a 2-run double in the top of the sixth inning to give Piedmont a 4-2 lead.
Courtney Pierce, Malcheit and Ward managed hits in the bottom of the sixth, but the Eagles were unable to produce any runs.
Pierce mowed the Bulldogs down in the top of the seventh inning.
Hokes Bluff loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with two outs. Evans scored a run to close the gap to 4-3, but the Eagles could manage nothing more.
Jenkins led Hokes Bluff offensively, slapping a pair of hits and as many RBIs. Ward batted 2-for-4 with a double. Evans scored two runs with a stolen base.
Belyeu struck out four batters, but was charged with the loss as Hokes Bluff fell to 1-10 on the season.