The Selma Times-Journal

It’s usually the same old story when teams lose ball games – errors and pitching.

They both hurt the Central Christian softball team Monday afternoon in a 15-0 loss to Sumter Academy that ended in the fourth inning.

Eagles starter Bliss Cook pitched the entire way and struck out six batters. She gave up two hits and only allowed two runners to reach second base.

CCA’s Katie Shirling pitched her way out of trouble and allowed two runs over the first two innings, but the Sumter batters – and mistakes by the Warriors’ defense – caught up with her in the third.

The Eagles took advantage of two wild pitches with home plate uncovered, two errors and three run-scoring hits to put eight runs on the board. Emilie Conway hit an RBI double, and both Cook and Kerri Giles had RBI singles. Jessica Loper walked with the bases loaded to force in a run.

Shirling, who left the game with the bases loaded, was credited with the loss after allowing 10 runs (three earned) on five hits. She walked six batters and struck out one.

Kate Bonner hit a two-run single in the middle of a five-run fourth for the Eagles, forcing CCA to have to score at least once in the bottom of the inning to extend the game.

Cook started off by striking out Tiffany Brown, and then allowed a single to Erikka Caldwell. A fielder’s choice by Mykiria Mitchell followed by Chynna Boyd’s ground out to third base brought an end to the game.

Rene Leshore, who went 1-for-1 with a walk, added the only other hit for the Warriors.