Blowout times two: FC Lady Dawgs upend Hazlehurst in double-header

It took Franklin County’s varsity fast-pitch softball team less than two hours to claim back-to-back, mercy-rule wins over visiting Hazlehurst on Thursday, March 10.

In the first contest, the Lady Bulldogs scored a total of 16 runs on nine hits in the shut-out.

Less than 30 minutes after the conclusion of that initial outing, FC went on to plate 24 runs while collecting six hits against the Lady Indians.

The wins improved Franklin to 2-0 in 7-3A district play.

GAME 1

FC 16, HAZLEHURST 0

Franklin County scored 11 runs in the first inning and five more in the second to upend the Lady Indians, 16-0, in a three-inning affair.

From the pitching circle, FC’s Karlee Wallace made quick work of Hazlehurst by striking out eight batters en route to the shut-out victory.

First baseman Sadye Scott paced Franklin County’s offensive onslaught with a 3-for-3 hitting performance, which included a double.

She scored three runs and was credited with a trio of RBIs.

Karlee Wallace also made her presence felt with a 2-for-3 batting effort that also included a double.

She scored twice while contributing four RBIs.

Third baseman Tori Jackson went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs to her credit and one RBI.

Second baseman Marianna Thomas had a 1-for-2 showing with two runs and an RBI.

Catcher Amberly Wallace also finished the contest 1-for-2 in the batting department with three runs scored, a walk and an RBI.

Center fielder Katherine Romero and left fielder Maddie Moak both went 0-for-2, but each drew walks and scored one run apiece.

Romero had a sacrifice late in the game for an RBI, and Moak’s shot into a fielder’s choice also brought a run home.

Right fielder Lauren McCaa was hit by a pitch with bases loaded to push a run across for an RBI and she also scored a run.

Shortstop Jhalayah Tillman was also 0-for-2 in the first game with a run credited to her.

She was hit by a pitch and had a strikeout.
Karlee and Amberly Wallace had three stolen bases apiece while Scott recorded two and Romero and Jackson had one each.

FC left two baserunners stranded in the first outing.

Hazlehurst committed six errors in the game while Franklin had only one.

GAME 2

FC 24, HAZLEHURST 0

Much of the Lady Dawgs’ line-up got the chance to play in the second game as Franklin County Head Coach Tasha Scott substituted liberally at the plate in the 24-0 win.

In all, FC collected six hits against a trio of Hazlehurst pitchers over the course of three innings.

Karlee Wallace paced the effort by going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and a walk while scoring three runs and adding a team-high four RBIs.

She would also pitch the first inning for Franklin and struck out one Lady Indians batter.

Her strike-to-pitch ratio was 75 percent (12-9).

Tillman, who started the second game at short and finished as pitcher, was 1-for-2 in her at-bat with a double and a walk.

She scored two runs and had two RBIs.

From the circle, Tillman issued one walk and struck out four with a strike-to-pitch ratio of 61 percent (28-17).

Sadye Scott, who started as catcher, was 1-for-1 with a run and RBI while being hit by a pitch twice.

Romero, the starting center fielder, was 1-for-2 with two runs scored while Sophia Miller, who came in as center fielder, was 1-for-1 with a pair of runs and a walk.

Despite not getting hits in the game, several Lady Bulldogs came home for runs with left fielder Moak credited with three; third baseman Kennedy Washington, first baseman Amberly Wallace and right fielder Jackson scoring two each; and catcher Jessany Harness, second baseman Thomas, Greyonne Queen and Bradi Wallace with one apiece.

Romero led the team with three stolen bases while Sadye Scott and Washington had two apiece and Moak and Tillman both had one.

The Lady Indians committed seven errors in the contest while the Lady Bulldogs had none.

FC’s regular season record now stands at 3-2.

• • •

ON DECK

Franklin County softball is enjoying a hiatus this week as the school district is in the midst of its annual spring break holiday.

The squad is slated to get back to action on Thursday, March 24 when FC will face off against another district foe, Tylertown, at home beginning at 5 and 6 p.m.

The Lady Dawgs are scheduled to host South Pike at 5 and 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 29 to wrap up the month.

The next varsity contest after that will be held at 5 and 6 p.m., on Tuesday, April 5 as FC hosts 7-3A rival Port Gibson.