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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>For updates on the Dolphins’ progress after press time, visit LowcoSports.com.</p>
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<p><strong><em>Photo by Bob Sofaly:</em></strong><em> 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. </em><br></p>
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