The opening day of the West Brunswick softball Beach Diamond Invitational gave fans come from behind victories, offensive outbursts from 1A programs, and a thrilling Top-25 battle.

Scotland, East Forsyth, East Bladen, Oak Grove, and Cherryville were all able to escape with victories at one of the state’s top spring break softball events.

No. 7 Scotland 7, McMichael 1

Stepping out of conference play for only the second time this season, the seventh ranked Fighting Scots picked up a signature win over McMichael who entered 11-1 overall.

Avery Stutts went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in at the plate, and just one run allowed on five strikeouts in the circle. Scotland broke the ice in the second with a pair of runs and scored in every inning from the second through the fifth.

Addison Lewis also drove in two in the victory. Dakota Redmon recorded nine strikeouts for the Phoenix and helped them score their lone run after a lead-off triple in the fourth.

McMichael plays at 10:00am on day two against East Forsyth while Scotland faces West Stanly. The Scots are now 8-0 overall.

East Forsyth 9, South Columbus 8

The Eagles got early offense from Madison Jones, and rallied back to snap a two-game losing streak.

Jones drove in three of the first two innings to help East establish a 6-0 lead. The senior ended up finishing the day 3-for-4 at the plate.

South Columbus had an answer in the top of the third to take a 7-6 lead. The Stallions picked up a run on a wild pitch, and two more on an Olivia Watts two run double to right. Jakiyah Graham drove in two, scored on a bases loaded walk, then watched Reah Lee beat out an infield single to cap off the seven run frame.

In relief, Allie Cox went 4.2 innings without an earned run allowed. The freshman allowed three hits and struck out three. She also secured the game-tying hit and scored the go-ahead run in a three run bottom of the fifth. Hannah Niten followed Cox’s tying single with a base hit to center to give the Eagles a lead that they would not relinquish.

East Forsyth will play a doubleheader on Tuesday against McMichael and Oak Grove. South Columbus will face Oak Grove in the 6:00pm game.

East Bladen 9, Walkertown 4

Entering the game 2-5 overall, the Eagles broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the second and never looked back.

Martha Ryan Simmons went 3-for-5 at the plate as East Bladen built up a lead as large as 9-1. Gracey Clark and Jamiee Perkins also recorded multi-hit games while Niyah Wooten led the way with two runs driven in. Five walks and six Walkertown errors also helped East Bladen score in five of seven innings.

Wooten and Jenna Brice each picked up four strikeouts, and the duo combined to limit the Wolfpack to one hit.

The Eagles will face Cherryville at noon on Tuesday while Walkertown plays in the nightcap against West Brunswick at 8:00pm.

No. 9 Oak Grove 1, No. 18 West Stanly 0

A top-25 battle that produced a playoff atmosphere on the first day of April.

Arizona State recruit Mary Peyton Hodge struck out 14, including 11 straight at one point, and gave herself all of the offense that she needed to take down the reigning 2A state champions.

A two out single to left in the top of the fourth broke the ice against Lilly Hartsell who walked two and struck out six for the Colts. Both her and Hodge scattered five hits each.

West Stanly had chances in the sixth and seventh with runners in scoring position, but heads-up play in the field, and Hodge’s heat helped close out the victory to improve the Grizzlies record to 11-0.

Oak Grove will wrap up their time at West Brunswick with a doubleheader on Tuesday against East Forsyth and South Columbus.

Cherryville 22, West Brunswick 8

Ten different players drove in runs, and seven of them recorded multi-hit efforts as the Lady Ironmen made a statement to close out day one.

Laila Davis went 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and six runs driven in. Emma Proctor brought home four on a 3-for-5 effort at the dish. Of Cherryville’s nine wins, eight have come with double digit runs scored. The Lady Ironmen are outscoring opponents 136-45 this season.

Hailey Woodard and Grace Hutzell drove in two runs each. Both Woodard and Hutzell along with Alexis Long went 6-for-9 in just five innings played.

Cherryville will face East Bladen on day two while West Brunswick will host Walkertown.

Photos

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Source: highschoolot.com