Round two of the GIAA Class A state softball tournament is in the books and the CCA Lady Patriots are winners again. CCA defeated the Crisp Academy Wildcats 10-4 Thursday afternoon in Columbus. The Lady Patriots play again Friday at noon.
Things started off a little shaky for CCA. They fell behind 2-1 after an inning then exploded for six runs in the second inning. Klair Mercer led off with a single then Peyton Harper and Arrabelle Roberts reached on errors. Brilynn Waldron singled to score Mercer and pinch runner Bleu Carter. During Cadence Cravey’s at-bat, Waldron stole second, putting two Lady Patriots in scoring position. Cravey singled and advanced to second on the throw. Roberts scored and Waldron went to third. After a fly ball out, Mattie Lewis answered the bell again. She hit a 1-2 pitch over the centerfield fence for a three-run home run and a 7-2 CCA lead. The Lady Patriots didn’t score another run in the inning but they had some much needed breathing room.
After the Wildcats scored in the top of the fourth, CCA answered with three more in the bottom of the frame. Waldron singled to lead off the inning. While Cravey was at the plate, Waldron stole second then advanced to third on a passed ball. Cravey hit an infield single that scored Waldron. Emma Gourley continued her hot streak and tripled to score Cravey. Lewis followed and reached on an error, scoring Gourley in the process. The Lady Patriots had a very comfortable 10-3 lead.
Crisp added a run in the sixth but that’s the last run either team would score. CCA cruised to a 10-4 second round victory.
Lewis was 1-3 with a run scored and four RBI. Waldron, Cravey, and Gourley each had two hits. Waldron and Cravey drove in two as well. Abrah Harris, Lewis, and Mercer also hit safely for the Lady Patriots.
The duo of Peighton Harper and Gracie Giddens kept the Wildcats at bay. Harper went six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits. She struck out five and walked two. Giddens threw a scoreless seventh inning in relief.
CCA is now 23-5 on the season. If the Lady Patriots win Friday at noon, they will advance to Championship Saturday.