The CCA Lady Patriots faced a brutal three games this weekend in Cordele, going 1-2 to some of the toughest competition they will face all season long. CCA defeated Camden County 10-6 on Friday then dropped two games on Saturday – one to Clinch (6-5) and the other to perennial power Westfield (5-0).
Against Camden, the Lady Patriots were steady and consistent, scoring four in the first, two in the second, two in the third, and two in the fourth. The Wildcats scored once in the first then added five in the fifth.
Emma Gourley and Abrah Harris had two hits. Gourley and Klair Mercer drove in two while Mercer and Brilynn Waldron scored two. Peighton Harper controlled the Camden offense with an 87-pitch complete game performance. She gave up six runs (five earned) on eight hits with two strikeouts and three walks.
Saturday, the Lady Patriots faced a tough Clinch County squad and hung in there to the bitter end. CCA led 3-2 after two innings. Then the Panthers scored two in the third to take a 4-3 lead. Both teams plated a run in the fourth, which put the score at 5-4 in favor of Clinch. The Panthers scored in the fifth and the Lady Patriots came back with a run in the sixth. It wasn’t enough, however, and CCA fell 6-5.
Gourley went 2-2 with three runs scored and an RBI. She was also hit by pitches twice. Waldron was 2-3 with two runs scored and a walk. Mercer had an RBI as well. Gracie Giddens went the distance for CCA, giving up six runs (three earned) on seven hits. She struck out three and walked two.
The Patriots ran into a buzzsaw against Westfield. The Hornets no-hit CCA in five innings. Harper threw her second complete game of the weekend and didn’t do a bad job of holding Westfield in check. The Lady Patriots’ offense just couldn’t get anything going against Westfield’s Camilla Bloodworth, who struck out 11. Three Lady Pats reached via walk – Waldron, Gourley, and Cadence Cravey, who also stole a base.
CCA is now 3-3 on the season. Tuesday, they travel to Bellville for a 5:30 p.m. contest against Pinewood. They return home Thursday for a 4 p.m. game against Fullington.