After six days between games, the Orange softball team was hungry to play again.
With 15 days since its last win, the Lady Panthers were also ready to taste victory again. On Thursday night in Hillsborough, they did both.
Jaden Hurdle led off the game with a solo homer and went on to throw a complete game five-hitter to help Orange (2-3) defeated Roxboro Community 7-2 at Orange High Softball Field.
Hurdle, who played first base last season during Orange’s march to the 3A State Championship, earned her second win of the season by striking out eleven Bulldogs, walking only one.
It was a double win night for Hurdle. After she left the locker room after the game, she found an unique prom proposal waiting for her, which she accepted.
Orange jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings. Following Hurdle’s solo blast in the first inning, the Panthers racked up five runs in the second inning. Alyssa Heilman laced a double and finished 1-for-3. Emma Packett went 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Alisa Pettiford went 1-for-2 with an RBI and drew two walks. Alaysia Sanford, a freshman who is now catching after the projected starter Hunter Balog sufferered a broken hand and wrist following an ATV acccident, went 1-for-3.
Orange ended a three-game losing streak that started when they fell to Eastern Alamance on March 7th. East Chapel Hill swept a doubleheader from Orange last Friday.
On Friday, Orange will host Hillside for a doubleheader at Orange High Softball Field starting at 5. The original game at Hillside was rained out on Tuesday.