On Tuesday, March 10, the Grant County Lady Braves softball team faced Pendleton County for a preseason scrimmage. Traveling to the Wildcats’ home turf, Grant got to test their young lineup at both the varsity and junior varsity levels. Although the Lady Braves’ offense managed to earn some base hits, they were unable to pull it all together to earn a run.

Over the first three innings, the varsity team sat deadlocked with the Wildcats as both sides battled in a stalemate. 

Peyton Gosney was the first at bat and singled up center field. However, the Wildacats’ defense soon closed ranks with a groundout and two popouts in the outfield.

As Grant took the field, Calleigh Hammons was at the mound.

Following an initial strikeout, the Wildcats singled up the first base line. Pendelton then stole second base, but this was a short-lived success as Gosney found Emmy Kinman for a tag out at third. Isabel McQueen closed the first inning with a catch in center field.

Moving into the second inning, Ava Alexander was walked after a long battle at the plate. Madison Utter then advanced Alexander to second with a bunt.

The Wildcats rang up their first kill before quickly ending the Lady Braves’ attack as they picked off Alexander stealing third.

Grant returned the favor, though, preventing a base hit in the bottom of the inning. For the first out, McQueen earned another catch in the outfield. Hammons then rang up a second strikeout while Gosney fielded the ball to Utter at first to end the bottom of the second.

During the third inning, Gosney was the only batter to earn a base as both defenses fought hard. While Pendleton earned three strikeouts, the Lady Braves responded with two of their own and a groundout.

Heading into the final varsity inning, Grant’s first at bat was another strikeout.

Hammons was then walked and was replaced by designated runner Payton Pelfrey. Alexander was then likewise walked on a full count duel between her and the pitcher. Despite a passball allowing both runners to advance to dangerous positions, a strikeout and a lineout ended the Lady Braves’ chances.

In the bottom of the fourth Emery Hull took over pitching and had an early walk. Grant then allowed its first run of the night as a single batted the runner in. The Lady Braves quickly closed the inning, but the damage was already done.

The JV team then came out to play, but would struggle to compete with Pendleton. After three at-bats, the top of the inning met a quick end with two strikeouts and a forceout.

Whereas the Varsity only allowed a single run, the JV would prove unable to slow the attack. Over the course of a single inning, the Wildcats extended their lead to 7-0. This brought the combined scrimmage to a close on Tuesday night.