Softball hosted Southeastern CC-Whiteville in a conference doubleheader on Wednesday and the Trojans earned their first sweep of the season. This improves them to 5-17 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
FTCC vs. Southeastern:
Game One- 12-0, Win (5-innings)
The Trojans had 10 hits to score their 12 runs, in the five-inning one-hour contest. The first runs of the game were scored in the second inning and the Trojans continued to add to force run-rule without batting in the fifth.
Isabella Finelli (Pembroke, NC) threw a complete game, giving up only two hits and striking out two.
Mia Vasquez (St. Pauls, NC) and Raven Ross-Gillespie (West End, NC) each went 2-2 at the plate with a walk.
In the bottom of the second, Nyla Mitchell (Lumberton, NC) started off the rally with a single. Vasquez followed it up with a double to earn the first RBI of the game. With one out, Maddie Burns (Sanford, NC) smashed a two-run homerun over the left field wall to bring the Trojan’s lead to 3-0.
The Trojans had their big inning in the third when they plated seven runners. With one out, Finelli reached on a Rams error and Albani Hooker (Sanford, NC) singled to center field. Mitchell reached on a dropped third strike to put runners on the corners. Vasquez and Jasmine Wagner (Fayetteville, NC) hit back to back singles. Burns had an RBI fielder’s choice and Ross-Gillespie walked. Leah Benjamin (McColl, SC) then smacked a triple to the right center fence and then scored on an RBI single from Trinity Gaither (Bunnlevel, NC).
With enough to enforce run-rule already, the Trojans added two security runs in the fourth. Hooker and Vasquez walked and Wagner was hit by pitch to load the bases with one out. Burns then had an RBI walk and Ross-Gillespie singled to plate the last Trojan run of the game.
Game Two- 7-6, Win
The Trojans started game two on top scoring two runs in the first. This time, the Rams responded and took the lead in the fourth.
Gaither walked and Finelli singled and later scored on a double from Mitchell in the first.
The Trojans scored one run in the fourth to pull the game within two. Grace Bailey (Eastover, NC) hit a one-out single and Burns walked. With two outs, Benjamin singled to load the bases and Gaither had an RBI walk.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Trojans scored their fourth run on a double from Vasquez who plated Mitchell who reached on a walk earlier in the inning.
The Rams added another run in the sixth, leading 6-4 going into the bottom of the seventh.
The do or die inning for the Trojans started off with back to back singles from Hooker and Mitchell. Hooker scored on a passed ball and Mitchell crossed the plate on an RBI single from Vasquez. Bailey laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Vasquez to second and she stole third to put the winning run on third base. Burns singled up the middle to plate the runner to take the sweep against the Rams.
Softball is back at home this Friday and Saturday as they host Richard Bland College for their next conference games. First pitch Friday is set for 5pm and the doubleheader Saturday will start at noon. All home games are free admission and played at JP Riddle Complex: 2823 Legion Road.
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