Northgate provides offensive treat on opening day of Elite Eight

 

 

 

 

The Northgate Lady Vikings provided tricks while receiving treats Thursday as they dominated the Creekview Lady Grizzlies and Loganville Lady Devils in the opening round of the AAAAA Elie Eight state softball tournament at the South Commons Complex in Columbus.

In game one, the Lady Vikings got three hits each from Brenna Skalski and Jenna Pealor in an 8-0 five-inning win over the Lady Grizzlies while the second game saw the Lady Vikings come away a 12-0 four-inning victory over the Lady Devils.
Northgate will face Houston County in a winners bracket game beginning Friday at 7:00 after the latter had wins over Winder-Barrow (6-4) and Pope (2-0).
The first game began not only with the Lady Vikings in full attire, but getting a run in the bottom of the first inning as Skalski led off with a single and stole second before scoring on a one out single by Jenna Pealor.
Emily Heath was hit by a pitch and Ebonee Echols walked to load the bases for Casy Kent who responded with a two-run single to give Northgate a 3-0 lead.
The Lady Vikings added to the lead in the bottom of the second inning as Skalski, Carly Alderman and Pealor had consecutive one out singles that accounted for one run and with one out Echols singled Alderman home for a 5-0 margin.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Northgate scoring parade continued with two more runs as Pealor singled and eventually scored on the front end of a double steal while Skalski had an RBI single.
The single forced a pitching change for Creekview as Ashley Walraven replaces starter Gracie Dorr on the rubber and the former was able to end the inning as Aldernan hit a flyball to center field that resulted in a double play.
Pealor completed the first portion of the Northgate scoring fest with a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Pealor continued being a treat for the Northgate faithful in the game against Loganville as she hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning to lead the way.
The Lady Vikings added to the lead with five runs in the top of the third inning as Alderman had an RBI single and Echols hit a grand slam.
Northgate put the game further out of reach in the top of the fourth inning with five more runs as Brittany Futral reached on a leadoff walk and Skalski followed with a single and Alderman followed with an RBI single.
The Lady Devils made a pitching change, but the Lady Vikings took advantage by continuing the scoring binge as Alderman stole second and Pealor was walked to load the bases for Emily Heath who followed with a two-run single.
Echols reached on a walk and Pealor eventually scored from third after a sacrifice fly by Kent and Jessica Houk closed out the scoring with an RBI single.
Lost in the offensive explosion may have been the pitching of McKenzie Peace who allowed seven hits and three walk while recording three strikeouts in two games.