Photo above: Coach Brian Rast gives Essence Champion a high five after she homered in the sixth inning against Bluffton. The Lady’s Eagles won 12-2. Photo by Bob Sofaly.
By Steve LeMaster
Behind the pitching and hitting of Mary Claire Sumner, Beaufort High pulled away to defeat Bluffton 12-2 in a high school softball game on March 8.
The Eagles broke into the win column after suffering a loss in their season-opener.
Sumner recorded 11 strikeouts over five innings for Beaufort High as the Eagles won convincingly.
At the plate, Sumner provided two hits.
The Eagles got going offensively early, thanks in part to Sumner. Also delivering at the plate, Sumner provided a leadoff single for the Eagles in a five-run first inning.
Beaufort High, following its early outburst, pushed across six more runs in the fourth inning.
Essence Champion drilled a two-run homer for the Eagles in the fourth frame.
Beaufort High made the most of a balanced offensive effort. Champion, Lillian Sumner and Emily Cook provided two hits apiece for the Eagles in the victory. Cook ranked as Beaufort High’s leading base runner, scoring twice against familiar rival Bluffton in the early-season clash.
Offensively for Bluffton, Jordyn Parker led the way with two singles.
In other action, Beaufort High defeated Stall 21-0 in the first game played as part of a high school softball doubleheader on March 10.
Two Beaufort High pitchers combined to throw a shutout.
Krislynn Coolong led Beaufort High to the victory by driving in four runs. Coolong went 2-for-2 at the plate. She delivered both a double and a triple for the Eagles.
Beaufort High took an early lead in the first inning. After pushing across one run in the game’s opening frame, Beaufort High featured several different leaders throughout the matchup.
Erupting offensively, Beaufort High plated 13 runs in the fourth inning. Coolong legged out a triple and Sumner smacked a double for the Eagles.
Pitcher Cook earned the win for the Eagles. Cook pitched three innings, giving up zero runs and three hits while registering six strikeouts and walking no one.
Sumner also pitched for the Eagles in the triumph.
The Eagles scored 21 runs via 16 hits. Coolong, Cook, Sumner, Madison Powell, Kidron Martin and Lillian Bearden each collected multiple hits for Beaufort High in the win. Powell and Sumner each had three hits to lead the Eagles at the plate.
Defensively, Beaufort High didn’t commit an error in the field.
Bricen Riley had a game-high seven chances in the field for the Eagles.
In a second game, Beaufort High blanked Stall 19-0.
Coolong delivered another double and triple for the Eagles in the second game. Leading the Eagles at the plate, Savannah Mullen connected for three hits and a trio of RBIs.
Cook earned the pitching win, tossing a one-hitter over three innings for the Eagles.
