After a difficult 6-12 season a year ago, the Cedar Ridge softball team served notice in its season opener that past disappointments are exactly that—-in the past.
In her first varsity game, sophomore Tori Dalehite homered while senior pitcher Rivers Andrews threw a three-hitter as the Red Wolves defeated Eastern Alamance 4-1 in Mebane on a brisk Wednesday evening.
It was no small victory for the Red Wolves. Last season, Eastern Alamance captured the Mid-State Conference Regular Season Championship with a 15-1 record. The Eagles reached the 2nd round of the state playoffs, where they fell to J.F. Webb 3-2.
Dalehite’s two-run homer punctuated a four-run fourth inning for Cedar Ridge. Junior Tionna Carter walked to start the frame. Junior Amy Stutzer, who finished 3-for-4, sent Carter to third on a double. Andrews reached on an error, which scored Carter. Freshman Reagan Ruhl, running for Andrews, scored on the Dalehite home run.
Dalehite’s softball debut was a long time coming. Even before her freshman seasons, she was penciled in for a starting position because of her accomplishments in summer softball. But that entire season was washed away when she suffered a torn ACL playing basketball just weeks into the 2016 season.
Junior Kymberlie Thacker finished 3-for-4.
Andrews threw a complete game three-hitter, striking out 15 and allowing just one walk.
Cedar Ridge will take the rest of the week off and face Western Alamance on Wednesday at the Red Wolves Softball Field.