No. 2 Lee County softball shuts out Milton, twice

LEESBURG — Ten innings. Five hits allowed. Twenty-three hits delivered. Two victories.

Not one Milton runner crossed home plate.

The second-ranked Lee County Lady Trojans did more than advance in the Class 6A state playoffs Wednesday afternoon. They issued a warning to everyone remaining in the bracket.

Lee County overwhelmed Milton 8-0 and 11-0, sweeping the best-of-three opening-round series without committing an error or allowing either game to reach the sixth inning.

“That was awesome pitching,” first-year Lee County coach Hannah Spencer said. “Tina Benton and Reese Watkins combined for 10 shutout innings across the two games, allowing just five hits and striking out 13 batters.”

Benton delivered the first punch.

The senior limited Milton to two hits over five innings in the opener, striking out four and walking two. Lee County backed her with 11 hits and broke open the game with a five-run third inning.

Brylyn Parsons ripped a two-run triple, Makinley Duke added a sacrifice fly, Mac Davis doubled home a run and Jaydynne Frisbee followed with an RBI double.

Kennady Patrick, Davis, Parsons and Benton collected two hits apiece. Patrick, Davis and Parsons each drove in two runs.

If Milton hoped for an opening in Game 2, Watkins quickly closed it.

The sophomore struck out nine and surrendered only three hits across five scoreless innings as Lee County completed the sweep with an 11-0 victory.

Davis put the Lady Trojans ahead with a two-run single in the first. Benton launched a solo home run to center in the third.

Then came the fifth inning.

Lee County sent six runs across and turned another competitive game into another early finish. An error opened the scoring before Jaylyn Purvis delivered a two-run single. Frisbee followed with a two-run homer to center, and Benton capped the outburst with an RBI double.

The home runs came from the second and eighth spots in the batting order, underscoring the problem Lee County creates for opposing pitchers: There is nowhere to hide.

“I’m loving our offensive depth,” Spencer said. “We have nine hitters who can hit for power and find a way on base. Big home runs by Tina Benton in the two-hole and Jaydynne Frisbee down in the eight-hole of the lineup.”

Izzy Evans, Porter Butler, Benton and Purvis collected two hits apiece in the second game. Frisbee, Benton and Purvis each drove in two runs.

Lee County’s lineup did the damage, but its complete performance made the sweep overwhelming. The Lady Trojans committed no errors in either game, giving Benton and Watkins all the defensive support they needed.

The victories send Lee County into the Sweet 16, where the Lady Trojans will host Kell next Wednesday in Leesburg. Kell advanced by defeating Johns Creek 4-1 and 6-0.

The competition will become tougher. Spencer knows it. Her players know it.

They also understand that being ranked second does not produce a single postseason out.

“In the playoffs, we know it’s a new season and rankings don’t win you games,” Spencer said. “We have to earn every inning, every run and every win.”

Lee County earned everything Wednesday.

And left Milton nothing.