POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Fifth-ranked Pearl River softball added two more marquee victories to its résumé, sweeping No. 17 Hinds 8-0 and 4-1 to bring its total to 16 wins over ranked opponents this season.
"They (Hinds) have a fantastic team," head coach Christie Meeks said, "For our girls to do what they did in both games, I am very proud of them. The one, two and three holes for them all had anywhere from 16 to 23 stolen bases and being able to do what we did with that is huge. It's just a testament to these girls putting in the work every single day and trusting what we're doing."
GAME ONE
Freshman Ann Elise Duncan (McComb; Brookhaven Academy) opened in the circle for Pearl River (34-6 overall; 18-4 MACCC) against Hinds (31-14, 14-10) and delivered a dominant performance, tossing a six-inning complete-game shutout. She allowed just two hits while striking out five.
Pearl River struck early, converting a leadoff walk and stolen base into a run on an RBI single by Addy Grace Alexander (Poplarville). After Alexander's hit, Natalee Eaves (Louisville; Choctaw Central) drew a walk to put two runners aboard for cleanup hitter Shania Fondren (Batesville; South Panola), who launched a three-run home run over the left fielder's head to give the Wildcats a 4-0 lead in the first inning. The blast was her 22nd of the campaign.
The Wildcats added to their lead in the second. Teegan DeWitt (Pass Christian; Hancock) led off with a single, followed by Kai Goodman (New Orleans, La.; John Curtis), who was hit by a pitch. Eaves singled again to bring home another run, extending the lead to 5-0. With the bases loaded, Fondren delivered once more, ripping a line drive to left field to drive in two more runs and push the lead to 7-0, giving her five RBIs through two innings.
Duncan maintained control in the circle, holding the opposition to two hits over the next four innings to preserve the seven-run advantage.
In the sixth, Pearl River added an insurance run when Jaycee Holifield (Laurel; Stringer) lined a double into the gap between left and center field, allowing Emmaleigh Theriot (Prairieville, La.; St. Amant) to score from first and secure the 8-0 run-rule victory.
Six Wildcats recorded multiple hits, with Fondren leading the way with five RBIs. Duncan threw six shutout innings, scattering two hits and four walks. She struck out five.
GAME TWO
Ana-Grace Garcia (Baton Rouge; St Joseph's) delivered a commanding performance in the circle, striking out seven of the first nine batters she faced and finishing with 10 strikeouts in a complete-game effort. She allowed just two hits and one earned run over seven innings to lead Pearl River to a 4-1 victory.
Pearl River struck first when Eaves singled up the middle to score DeWitt, who had reached on a hit by pitch to open the inning.
Hinds answered in the following inning, tying the game at 1-1, and the score remained even through four innings.
Pearl River regained the lead in the fifth. Back-to-back walks to Goodman and Alexander set the stage for Eaves, who delivered a two-run double to right-center field to make it 3-1.
The Wildcats added an insurance run in the sixth when second baseman Holifield hit a solo home run over the left-field fence — her 14th long ball of the season, 4-1.
Garcia's two-hit complete game secured the 4-1 win and the sweep for Pearl River.
Eaves led the offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Caroline Woodward (Gulfport) drew a pair of walks.
NEXT UP
Pearl River heads to Holmes Friday to play a doubleheader at 1/3 p.m. The games will be livestreamed at HolmesCCMedia.com.
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