Dougherty softball rallies past Seminole; Worth County remains perfect

ALBANY — Dougherty High broke into the win column Monday, and the Lady Trojans did it with an offensive explosion.

Dougherty overcame an early deficit by scoring 26 runs over its final two trips to the plate, including a remarkable 20-run third inning, to rally past Seminole County 27-12.

The victory was the first of the season for the Lady Trojans, who improved to 1-2.

Dougherty found itself in a deep hole almost immediately as Seminole County scored seven runs in the top of the first inning and added four more in the second. The Lady Trojans trailed 11-1 before their offense came alive.

Dougherty scored six runs in the bottom of the second to pull within 11-7. Madison Zachery and Lena Harris each drew bases-loaded walks, while Deriyah Gibbs delivered a two-run single.

Seminole County added another run in the top of the third to stretch the advantage to 12-7, but that lead disappeared quickly.

The Lady Trojans sent batter after batter to the plate during a 20-run bottom of the third, turning a five-run deficit into a 27-12 advantage. Jalexi Thomas delivered one of the biggest hits of the inning with a three-run single.

Gibbs finished with four RBIs on two hits to lead Dougherty’s offense. She drove in two runs with her second-inning single, added another RBI single in the third and drew a bases-loaded walk later in the inning.

Dougherty took advantage of Seminole County’s inability to find the strike zone, drawing 21 walks. Sorai Hamilton reached four times on walks, and the Lady Trojans also stole five bases.

Thomas earned the victory in relief, allowing one hit and four runs — all unearned — over 2 2/3 innings. She struck out four and walked four.

The win came after Dougherty dropped its first two games of the season.

Lady Rams remain perfect — and unscored upon

Worth County’s unbeaten start continued Monday, and so did an impressive streak by the Lady Rams’ pitching staff.

Laurie Pritchard struck out 10 and later put the game away with a seventh-inning grand slam as Worth County defeated Schley County 6-0.

The Lady Rams improved to 5-0 and have yet to allow a run this season, recording shutouts in each of their first five games.

Monday’s game was scoreless through five innings as Pritchard and Schley County starter Chloe Palmer matched each other in the circle.

Worth finally broke through in the sixth when Ellasyn Gandy singled home the game’s first run. The Lady Rams added another run before putting the game out of reach in the seventh.

Pritchard delivered the decisive blow, launching a grand slam to left field that stretched Worth County’s advantage to 6-0.

She was just as dominant in the circle.

Pritchard allowed only two hits over six scoreless innings, striking out 10 and walking three. Austyn Kate Rucker finished the shutout with a hitless seventh, striking out two and walking one.

Pritchard finished with three hits and four RBIs, while Isabelle Hancock added two hits for the Lady Rams.

Through five games, Worth County’s pitching has been flawless where it matters most: five victories, five shutouts and zero runs allowed.

Monroe moves to 4-0

Monroe did not take the field Monday, but the Lady Tornadoes still added another victory to their record.

Monday’s contest against Calhoun County was canceled and Monroe earned the win 1-0 with a forfeit.

The Lady Tornadoes are now 4-0 to begin the season.