GARNER, N.C. – Few conferences in the state boast the amount of softball talent that the Greater Neuse River Conference does.

Clayton, who entered Tuesday’s contest at Garner in fifth place in the league, proved that with a season sweep of the defending 4A state champions.

Four runs in the third and two in the sixth secured a 6-5 win for the Comets, who, just like their 5-4 win over Garner on March 18, had to hold off a late rally from the Trojans.

Jenny Clement broke the ice in the top of the third with an RBI single to score Haleigh Mohamed. Chayla Chisholm, running courtesy for Izzy Tart, later scored on a wild pitch to give Clayton a 2-0 advantage.

The damage was far from done as Delaney Maynard put a drive into a two-out pitch and sent it over the wall in dead center to inflate the lead to 4-0. It was the first home run of the season for the junior second baseman.

Following a 30-minute lightning delay, Garner grabbed a run in the bottom of the third.

The 4-1 lead held until a sixth-inning error helped Clayton load the bases, and an errant throw allowed Addison Coalts and Mallory Kuykendal to cross.

Garner did its best to claw back into the game. Kira Bryant singled home a pair with two down in the bottom of the sixth, and down 6-3 with two outs in the seventh, Gaby Mizelle gave the Trojans life with an opposite-field two-run home run.

With the game on the line, Gabby Czuczuk launched a line drive to right field that missed being a game-tying home run by less than a foot. Czuczuk tried to stretch the hit into a double, but a perfect relay from Clayton ended the game.

Tart earned the victory in the circle. Her dominant performance set the tone early for the Comets. Czuczuk was tabbed with the loss for Garner.

Clayton is now 10-5 overall and 6-5 in league play. The Comets travel to South Johnston on Thursday and host Southeast Raleigh on Friday.

Garner fell to 12-6 and 8-4 in the conference. The Trojans have dropped three games in GNRC play by one run, including both against Clayton.

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