The Fannin County Lady Rebel softball team exploded for 14 runs in the first inning Tuesday, August 24, as they remained undefeated in the regular season, topping the Gordon Central Lady Warriors 15-2.
Natalie Herendon started in the circle for the Lady Rebels, pitching one inning and collecting two strikeouts. Jayden Bailey came on in relief, throwing three innings and striking out two Lady Warriors.
Gordon Central batted in the top of the first, but Herendon got two quick strikeouts followed by a Josilynn Newton ground out to get Fannin off the field quickly.
Fannin then exploded in the bottom of the first, scoring 14 runs. Riley Davis started off with a double, followed by a Jaylen Green walk to put runners on second and first. After a Gordon Central error, Herendon reached the first base to load the bases. Zoe Putnam dinged a double to center field to knock Davis and Green home for a two-run lead.
Newton crushed a triple to center field to knock Putnam and Herendon home and increase Fannin’s lead 4-0.
Callie Ensley drilled a triple to knock Newton home, and Ensley later scored on a single from Chelsey Frye as the Lady Rebels led 6-0.
Aidyn Patterson and courtesy runner Aaleyah Rogers scored, followed by Davis, Bailey, Green, Herendon, Putnam, and Newton to extend the Lady Rebels lead 14-0 at the end of the first inning.
Fannin’s defense was firing on all cylinders as well, holding Gordon Central scoreless and getting off the field quickly. Green was the lone Lady Rebel to cross home plate in the bottom of the second inning as Fannin increased their lead 15-0.
The Lady Warriors tried to battle back by scoring one run in the top of the third, and one run in the top of the fourth, but could not start a comeback as the game was called and the Lady Rebels took home a 15-2 victory to remain undefeated in the regular season.