DECATUR, Miss. — The East Central Community College softball team delivered a dominant offensive performance Wednesday afternoon, sweeping Lansing Community College in a home doubleheader with wins of 12-1 and 10-3.
The Warriors combined for 26 hits across the two games while also receiving strong pitching performances in the circle.
Lansing scored the game's first run in the opening inning of Game 1, but East Central answered immediately. The Warriors pushed across three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take control and never surrendered the lead.
East Central continued to build momentum in the second inning, adding three more runs. The Warriors then broke the game open with a four-run third inning that extended the advantage and put the game firmly in their hands.
Shortstop Madye Bath sparked the offense with a perfect day at the plate. Bath finished 4-for-4 with four runs scored and an RBI, consistently getting on base and igniting scoring opportunities for the Warriors.
Third baseman Kathryn Montz also turned in a strong performance, collecting two hits while scoring four runs. First baseman Lanayah Henry delivered the biggest swing of the game, driving in six runs on two hits to power the East Central lineup.
Inside the circle, Macy Nordstrom started the game and allowed just one run across two innings. After Nordstrom's outing, pitchers Lynleigh Burt, Ava Mosley, and Manda Rie Leach combined to close out the contest and secure the win.
The Warriors carried their momentum into the second game and once again struck early. East Central plated a run in the first inning and added another in the third to build an early lead.
Lansing responded with a three-run fourth inning to briefly close the gap, but the Warriors answered in emphatic fashion.
After a quiet fifth inning, East Central erupted for eight runs in the sixth inning to break the game open. The rally featured a string of timely hits and aggressive baserunning that quickly turned a tight game into a comfortable victory.
Center fielder Riley Ruple led the offense in Game 2, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI. Ruple repeatedly reached base and helped spark the decisive rally.
Bath continued her productive day at the plate in the second game, collecting two hits and driving in two runs.
Montz added a key hit and two RBIs, including a home run that helped ignite the late offensive surge.
First baseman Maleigh Lemings added two hits and an RBI, while Madelyn Fielder delivered one of the biggest hits of the inning with a three-run knock during the sixth-inning rally.
In the circle, Neely Wolverton tossed a complete game in the second contest. Wolverton allowed just five hits while striking out four batters and limiting Lansing to three runs.
The sweep highlighted the Warriors' offensive depth, with multiple players contributing throughout both games. From the first inning of the opener to the late surge in Game 2, East Central controlled the action and showcased a balanced performance at the plate and in the circle.
The pair of victories gave the Warriors a strong showing in front of the home crowd in Decatur.