Battery Creek’s softball team began its mission toward a Class 3A state championship in impressive fashion with blowout wins in the Dolphins’ first two games of the district tournament.
Senior pitcher Alexis Ortiz was dominant in both games, striking out 13 in a five-inning no-hitter in a 15-0 win over Loris in the first round and tossing a one-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts in an 11-0 victory over Strom Thurmond in the second round.
At press time, the Dolphins (16-8-1) were set to host Strom Thurmond for the district championship on Wednesday. With a win, they would host a first-round game in the Lower State tournament Saturday.
In the opening win over Loris, Kelsey Hill was 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs, Margaret Schubert was 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI, and McKenzie Young was 3-for-4 with two runs for the Dolphins. Journeigh Doray added two hits, two runs, and two RBIs, Emily Crosby was 2-for-2 with an RBI and four runs, and Bailey Emmert drove in three runs.
Ortiz followed up her no-hitter in the first round with a one-hit shutout of the Rebels, allowing only two baserunners while striking out 11. She also hit a two-run homer.
McKenzie Young was 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs, Emily Crosby was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, and Journeigh Doray and Jamiah Johnson each added two hits against Strom Thurmond.
For updates on the Dolphins’ progress after press time, visit LowcoSports.com.
Photo by Bob Sofaly: Battery Creek’s Journeigh Doray beats out the throw to Loris High School’s Jeanana Fowler for one of the Lady Dolphins’ 15 runs scored on 15 hits during their first-round playoff game at BCHS. At left is plate umpire Peggy Burgoon. The Lady Dolphins went on to win the game 15-0 with pitcher Alexis Oritz pitching a five-inning no-hitter.
