Photo by Angie Carden Hurdle
Jaden Hurdle: As the career of Jaden Hurdle as a member of the Patrick & Henry Community College softball team starts to wind down, she earned a honor for the Lady Patriots. Before starting a weekend series at Surry Community College, Hurdle was named the Patrick & Henry Female Athlete of the Year during a ceremony last week. On Friday, Patrick & Henry defeated Surry Community College 8-0 in six innings in the opening game of a doubleheader. Hurdle went 0-for-3. In the final game of the season, Surry defeated the Lady Patriots 8-2 at Fisher River Park. Hurdle started as the pitcher and went six-and-one-thirds innings. At the plate, she went 0-for-2. Last Tuesday, Ferrum College swept a doubleheader from Patrick & Henry in Martinsville, VA. In the opening game, which the Panthers won 11-2, Hurdle went 1-for-1. In the nightcap, Ferrum won 9-2. Hurdle went 1-for-3 with a double. She also relieved starter Brandy Roberts as pitcher in the fourth inning. Hurdle threw four innings and gave up five runs off five hits. She struck out four. Hurdle currently has a .377 batting average with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs. Her ten home runs is fourth in Region X Division II. She also leads the team with four triples. As a pitcher, Hurdle is 7-4 with a 3.15 ERA in 18 appearances. Hurdle will play next season at Catawba College in Salisbury.
Mia Davidson: Mia Davidson continues her climb up the all-time NCAA Softball Home Run list. On Sunday, Davidson became the first player in Mississippi State history to have two 20-home run seasons. Davidson blasted a two-run homer in the fifth inning in a 9-5 loss to #11 Kentucky at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, KY. it’s just the fourth time in school history that Mississippi State has had a player hit for 20 home runs in a season. Davidson has done it twice. Davidson now has 89 career home runs. Only five players have ever hit 90 career home runs in Division I history. On Sunday, Davidson went 1-for-1. On Saturday, the Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 6-2. It was Mississippi State’s sixth win against a ranked team this season. Davidson hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to increase the Bulldogs’ lead to 5-2. Davidson also broke the school record for career hit-by-pitches. She was plunked for the 54th time on Sunday. On Friday, the Wildcats defeated the Bulldogs 7-3. Davidson went 0-for-1 with a run scored and two walks. Mississippi State is 31-21 overall, 9-12 in the Southeastern Conference. On Wednesday, Mississippi State knocked off Southern Miss 9-5 in Starkville, MS. Davidson went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Montana Davidson: Montana entered the game as a pinch-hitter in Saturday’s win over Kentucky for Mississippi State.
Grace Andrews: The Catawba Valley Community College softball team honored its sophomores on Sunday. The Red Hawks easily swept a doubleheader from Bryant & Stratton at Highland Recreation Center in Hickory. In the opening game, a 17-0 Red Hawks’ win, Andrews went 1-for-1 with a two-run single. She also scored twice. In the second game, Andrews started at third base again and finished 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Andrews concludes the regular season with a .311 batting average through 44 games. The Red Hawks will prepare for the Region X/South Atlantic District Tournament in Richmond, VA, which starts May 11.
Kara Tackett: The Wake Tech Community College softball team defeated Brunswick Community College 13-4 in Raleigh on Sunday. Tackett started in centerfield and finished 1-for-4 with an RBI single. Wake Tech swept a doubleheader from the Dolphins. The Eagles won the opening game 10-0 in five innings. Tackett went 0-for-3 in the opening game. On Friday, Southeastern Community College shutout the Eagles 11-0 in Whiteville. Tackett went 0-for-2. Southeastern won the opening game of the doubleheader 9-1. Tackett hit leadoff and went 1-for-3.
Bryse Wilson: After four starts this season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wilson came out of the bullpen for Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers in PNC Park. Milwaukee won the game 3-1. Wilson relieved starter Dillon Peters in the third inning and threw four innings. He allowed only one hit with four strikeouts. Wilson left the game with the game scoreless.
Joey Berini: The East Carolina baseball team had a weekend sweep of the Cincinnati Bearcats at Clarke-LeClair Stadium in Greenville. On Saturday, the Pirates defeated the edged the Bearcats 4-3. Berini entered the game in the sixth inning as a shortstop. East Carolina defeated Cincinnati 6-3 on Sunday. Berini replaced Zach Agnos at shortstop in the eighth inning. The Pirates are 11-4 in the American Athletic Conference, 27-18 overall.
Brandon Andrews: Pitching for Nicholls State, Andrews earned his first save of the season on April 19. Andrews tossed a scoreless ninth inning for the Colonels in a 2-0 win over Southern University at Didier Field in Thebodaux, LA. He gave up only one hit. On Sunday, New Orleans defeated Nicholls 6-2. Andrews came out of the bullpen and retired the only Privateer he faced.
Landon Riley: The UNC baseball team rolled past Liberty 8-1 at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill on Tuesday. Riley closed out the game for the Flames. He threw the eighth inning with one strikeout and one walk.
Phillip Berger: Berger earned another complete game win for Division III William Peace University on Friday. The Pacers defeated Southern Virginia University 11-1 at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary. In seven innings, Berger threw a three-hitter. He gave up one unearned run with six strikeouts and three walks. Berger is 7-2 this season for the Pacers. He leads the team in wins. He has a 4.38 ERA. The Pacers are 21-18, 11-10 in the USA South Athletic Conference. They will prepare for the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament, which starts on Thursday.
Cooper Porter: The Pensacola State baseball team ended its season last week. Tallahassee Community College defeated the Pirates 8-3. Porter started at third base and when 2-for-4 with a double. Porter ends the season with a .224 batting average over 41 games. He hit one home run with ten RBIs.
Will Walker: Bryant & Stratton Community College edge Pitt Community College 3-2 on Saturday in the final game of a doubleheader. Will Walker, starting at first base for PCC, went 0-for-3. In the opener, Bryant & Stratton won 8-5. Walker reported in as a pinch-hitter and went 0-for-1. The Bulldogs defeated Lenoir Community College 13-12 on Wednesday. Walker finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. Pitt Community College is 34-7 as they move on to the Region X South Atlantic Tournament.