Dougherty wins region opener; Monroe, Westover fall

ALBANY — The first day of Region 1-4A softball play brought six teams to Gordon Park on Tuesday.

It also brought triple-digit heat.

On an afternoon when temperatures climbed past 100 degrees, Dougherty handled the conditions — and Shaw — better than anyone among the three Albany teams.

The Lady Trojans erased an early deficit and pulled away for a 12-4 victory, while Monroe fell 19-3 to Columbus and Westover lost 14-3 to Bainbridge.

Dougherty’s victory came with a little bit of everything: timely hitting, patience at the plate, aggressive baserunning and a strong performance from Jalexi Thomas in the circle.

After Shaw scored twice in the first inning, Dougherty answered.

Madison Zachery’s RBI single helped the Lady Trojans tie the game 2-2 in the second, and they took control with three runs in the third. Zachery delivered another run-scoring single as Dougherty moved in front 5-2.

Then the Lady Trojans turned patience into runs.

Dougherty sent six runners across the plate in the fifth despite collecting only one hit in the inning. Five runs scored on bases-loaded walks before Thomas added an RBI single.

It was part of a frustrating afternoon for Shaw’s pitchers and a disciplined one for Dougherty’s hitters. The Lady Trojans drew 12 walks and created even more trouble once they reached base, stealing nine bases.

Thomas made sure the lead held up.

She limited Shaw to two hits over six innings, allowing four runs — only two earned — while striking out seven. Thomas and Zachery also had two hits apiece.

Dougherty will travel to Columbus on Thursday for another meeting with Shaw.

Columbus 19, Monroe 3

For five innings, Monroe avoided the big inning that could put the game away.

Then Columbus erupted.

Leading 7-3 entering the sixth, Columbus sent 12 runs across the plate on 11 hits to turn what had been a manageable deficit into a 19-3 final.

Glendalys Harvey was the bright spot for Monroe’s offense. The catcher was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 and driving in two of the Lady Tornadoes’ three runs.

Raquel Timley added two stolen bases.

Jamiya Duhart battled through all six innings in the circle for Monroe against a Columbus lineup that finished with 17 hits.

The Lady Tornadoes travel to Columbus on Thursday for the rematch.

Bainbridge 14, Westover 3

Westover found itself chasing Bainbridge almost from the start.

The Lady Cats scored three runs in each of the first two innings and stretched the advantage to 7-1 in the third before pulling away late.

Auburn Culpepper was at the center of the damage. She went 5-for-5 with three doubles and three RBIs, including a two-run double in the first inning and another run-scoring double in the third.

Bainbridge put the game away with five runs in the sixth.

Sydney Donaldson led Westover’s offense with two hits in three at-bats from the leadoff spot, while Timeria Neal drove in a run.

The Lady Patriots also tried to manufacture offense with their speed, stealing six bases.

Chamya Astin worked all six innings in the circle for Westover.

Tuesday was only the beginning of the region race.

The same six teams will meet again Thursday, this time in Columbus and Bainbridge. Dougherty faces Shaw, Monroe gets another shot at Columbus and Westover travels to Bainbridge.