GRANITEVILLE North Augusta’s softball team kept its season alive with a 7-3 playoff win over Midland Valley Tuesday, May 13.
Midland Valley had defeated North Augusta twice this season already, including a 16-7 win on May 6.
This game would be different as the Yellow Jackets gained momentum scoring in the top of the first and sophomore Ayla Holmes hit a solo homer in the second to give North Augusta a 2-0 early lead.
As North Augusta pitcher Lia Allen continued to dominate on the mound and have an elite defense behind her throughout the game, Junior Emily Cloy connected by hitting a grand slam to extend the Lady Jackets lead to 7-1 in top of the fifth inning.
Cloy said she had struggled before the grand slam by going 0-for-8 at the plate in the last few games, but her teammates rallied behind her.
“Really just having my team behind me no matter how good or bad I do, they always have my back,” Cloy said. “They believed in me and helped me believe in myself, and I got up there and knew a job had to be done.”
Midland Valley would rally in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runs, but North Augusta held on to win 7-2.
“My defense took it away tonight,” Allen said. “Simple errors can really change a game, and they weren’t making any and backed me up very well.”
North Augusta softball will now move on to play on the road at South Florence Wednesday, May 14, at 6 p.m.
Allen said they need to continue to limit mistakes and play the way they know how to in order to continue their winning ways.
“We just have to play clean ball and play North Augusta softball,” Allen said.
If the Lady Jackets win, they will have a chance to win the Lower State 4A District Championship the following game. The date and time for that game is to be determined.
on Tuesday, May 13. Christopher Rickerson/Augusta Good News
Sportswriter Christopher Rickerson is an Augusta University graduate who has covered area sports for publications including Augusta University‘s Bell Ringer and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News’ free weekly newsletter here.
