POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Despite dropping a pitcher’s duel opener against Hinds, the No. 4 Pearl River softball team responded well in game two to earn a split in the series. Pearl River fell in game one 1-0 and picked up a 6-3 victory in the nightcap.
GAME ONE
Hinds (17-11 overall; 6-4 MACCC) used the long ball to move ahead of Pearl River (28-5; 10-2) in the bottom of the first inning, sending a solo shot over the left field wall, 1-0.
The Wildcats went on to out-hit the Eagles the rest of the game, and starter Natalie Herrington (Petal) was fantastic in the circle, but Pearl River couldn’t plate the tying run, falling 1-0.
Herrington threw six innings, allowing just one run on two hits and one walk. She struck out six batters.
Morgan Lavergne (Baton Rouge, La.; Central) and Alexa Womack (Prairieville, La.; Dutchtown) each had two hits in the game.
GAME TWO
Needing a response in game two, the Wildcats set the tone early on. Lavergne singled and stole second base. Bryn Daughtery (Vancleave) then brought her home with a ground ball up the middle for an RBI single.
Lainee Bailey (Walker, La.) worked out of trouble in the bottom half of the first and second innings to send PRCC back to the plate to add on. Three consecutive singles by Bailey, Daughtery and Anna Kate Rounsaville (Gulfport) added the first run of the inning. PRCC made an out on the basepaths before Peyton Hoffmayer (Ocean Springs) sent a two-run homer over the wall in left field, 4-0.
Two more scored in the fourth for PRCC. The Wildcats rallied with two outs as Bailey sent a double into center field to bring in the first run of the frame. With Daughtery at the plate, Lavergne then swiped home plate, 6-0.
Hinds didn’t go down without a fight in the seventh inning, plating three runs before Bailey shut the door to earn a 6-3 victory.
Bailey threw seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks. She struck out seven batters.
Daughtery finished 3-for-4 with an RBI. Hoffmayer and Bailey each picked up two hits in the contest.
NEXT UP
Pearl River returns to Wildcat Stadium Friday for a 2/4 p.m. doubleheader against Holmes.
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. General admission tickets are $8 per game. Season passes can be purchased for $75 for softball or a softball/baseball season pass can be purchased for $100.
HOW TO WATCH
The Wildcats will once again livestream all games for free at PRCCMedia.com/gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the “Pearl River CC” channel from their app stores.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).
