Photo by Angie Carden Hurdle
Jaden Hurdle: The Patrick Henry Community College softball team went 3-1 in its opening doubleheaders of the season last weekend. On Friday, the Lady Patriots mauled USC Union in a doubleheader by scores of 14-2 and 21-8. Hurdle had a huge game in the opener, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scores. She also had two triples and a double. On top of that, Hurdle earned the win as pitcher, throwing six innings. She struck out five in six innings. Hurdle surrendered two runs off five hits. In the second game, Hurdle hit her first home run of the season. She went 2-for-3 with four runs scored and two RBIs. On Sunday, Spartanburg Methodist defeated Patrick Henry 11-3 in Spartanburg, SC. Hurdle went 1-for-3 . She also took the loss as a starting pitcher. She threw five innings. The Lady Patriots defeated Spartanburg Methodist 10-1 in the nightcap of the doubleheader. Hurdle hit two home runs, including a two-run shot. She finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
Mia Davidson: The Mississippi State softball team opened the season by going 1-3 in the Mark Campbell Invitational in Irvine, California last weekend. Mia Davidson hit the 70th home run of her career in the Bulldogs’ 5-3 loss to Loyola Marymount at Smith Field in Los Angeles on Sunday. She is now one shy of the Southeastern Conference record, held by Florida’s Lauren Haeger. Davidson’s 2-run homer in the 7th was her only hit of the day against the Lions. Mississippi State started the weekend by beating Loyola Marymount 4-2 at Bill Barber Park in Irvine, AC on Friday. Davidson went 2-for-2 against the Lions and scored the first Mississippi State run of the season off a home run by Matalasi Faapito. Later on Friday, #1 Oklahoma defeated Mississippi State 9-0 in five innings. Davidson went 1-for-2 with a double, one of only two hits for the Bulldogs. It was the 22nd straight game where Davidson reached base, a school record. On Saturday, #3 UCLA shutout Mississippi State 8-0. Davidson went 0-for-3.
Montana Davidson: Montana started at third base for Mississippi State in the opener against Loyola Marymount and went 0-for-3. She entered the Oklahoma game as a reserve and finished at first base. On Sunday, Davidson was a pinch hitter in the loss to Loyola Marymount and went 0-for-1.
Tori Dalehite: The former Cedar Ridge 2nd baseman made the first start of her college career during the Felsberg Invitational at Florida International University in Miami. The Spartans went 1-3 during the three-day event. On Friday, Florida International held off UNCG 4-3. Dalehite entered the game as a pinch runner and scored a run off a 2-run homer by Makenna Matthijs in the seventh inning that put the Spartans within a run. On Saturday morning, UNCG edged Maryland 6-5. Dalehite entered the game in the second inning as a pinch hitter in place of Anna White. She spent the rest of the day at first base and went 0-for-4. Later on Saturday, Maryland knocked off the Spartans 5-3. Dalehite made her first official start at first base. She also drove in her first college run off a sacrifice fly to centerfield in the sixth inning, which evened the game 2-2. Dalehite went 0-for-2.
Maddie Bartlett: The Wake Tech Community College softball team started its season against the William Peace Junior Varsity squad on Sunday. Peace defeated the Eagles 9-2 in the opening game of the doubleheader. Maddie Bartlett started as leadoff batter for the Eagles, playing shortstop. She went 2-for-3 with a double and two stolen bases. Bartlett scored the Pacers first run. In the second game of the doubleheader, Peace completed a sweep with a 14-5 win. Bartlett went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two doubles. Bartlett scored in the first inning off a double by Jesse Dillon.
Kara Tackett: A former Orange Lady Panther, Tackett also started both games for Wake Tech against William Peace JV. In the opening game, Tackett went 1-for-2 with a triple and a run scored. Tackett plated Bartlett in the first inning for the Eagles’ first run of the season. In the nightcap, Tackett went 0-for-1. She also entered the circle and threw the final two innings. Tackett didn’t allow a hit and gave up only two hits, striking out four with one walk.
Will Walker: The Pitt Community College baseball team defeated the Mount Oliver junior varsity squad 8-7 in the season opener on February 2. Walker entered the game as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-2 with a run scored. On February 9, Pitt hammered the Barton College junior varsity team 19-0. Walker entered the game as a pinch-hitter and went 0-for-2. He finished the game at first base.