The Colleton Prep varsity softball team opened its regular season with back-to-back shutouts this past week, including a 10-0 win over Region I-AA opponent Beaufort Academy and a 20-0 win over non-conference Calhoun Academy.
Against Calhoun Academy Monday March 2, Haley Bootle earned the win, allowing just one hit across four innings of work and striking out eight. She was supported in the game with an explosive offensive effort from the line-up with 21 hits on the day, including going 3-4 herself. Langley Harter led the offensive effort, going 4-4 with 3-RBI’s at the plate including singles in the first and second innings and two in the fourth. Rachel Wright was also 4-4 with 2-RBI’s. Heather Davis was 2-4 with 3-RBI’s including a homerun in the fourth inning. Linley Jones and Rianna Bailey recorded multiple hits.
In the region win over Thomas Heyward, Bootle allowed two hits across five innings and struck out nine. Linley Jones had a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning to give the War Hawks a 4-0 advantage early in the game. Weslin Jones went 3-3 in the game and scored twice and Davis was 2-2 scoring once.
“Both of these games were important for us from a playoff seeding standpoint,” said Coach Tiger Martin. “I was a little apprehensive about playing Thomas Heyward, who is our primary competition for the conference crown, so early in the season. To win those games by a combined score of 30 to nothing seems a bit unreal to me. Both teams have solid pitchers and three to four good hitters on their roster.
“Weslin Jones has been white hot at the plate and has gotten us off to great starts in both games,” said Martin. “To put up 20 runs against Calhoun was obviously a team effort. I am very happy for Rachel Wright who went 4-4 and for Heather Davis who launched her first homerun of the year.
“Haley Bootle was dominant on the mound and never really got in trouble against Calhoun,” said Martin. “Thomas Heyward however, she was tested early. She worked her way out of a bases-loaded, one out jam in the first inning. Linley Jones’ grand slam in the bottom half of the inning gave her the confidence to settle in. Her maturation is critical for us to achieve the goals we’ve set. We have our toughest week of the season coming up with Laurence Manning, Summerville High School and Hanahan. I’m anxious to see how we perform against the best competition we’ll face in the regular season.”
The Lady Hawks were scheduled to host Laurence Manning Monday March 9 then travel to Summerville High School Tuesday March 10.
