Vaughan hurls three-hitter, drives home three as EC defeats Northgate in five

Rachel Vaughan handled the Northgate Lady Vikings on the
pitching rubber by allowing three hits in an 8-0 five inning win.

SHARPSBURG-The East Coweta Lady Indians took advantage of fielding miscues with key hits including a two-run double by starting pitcher Rachel Vaughan Wednesday as they defeated the Northgate Lady Vikings 9-0 in a varsity softball game called after five innings.

The win improves the Lady Indians overall record to 20-4 as they prepare to host the 2015 Class AAAAA champion and one time nemesis Chapel Hill Lady Panthers in a non-region game beginning at 5:30 with a Senior Night ceremony preceding the contest for lone EC grad-to-be Lindsay “Lulu” Warren.

The Lady Indians took the initial lead in the bottom of the first inning as Olivia Davis reached on a one out double and advanced to third on a single by Kelley Lynch before coming coming home when Vaughan grounded out to short.

In the top of bottom of the second inning, EC added to the lead as Ashlynn Gunter reached on an infield error and after a pair of outs was able to get into scoring position before coming home on a single to left by Warren.

After being retired in order in the bottom of the third by Northgate starting pitcher Kaitlin Bailey, the Lady Indians were able to break open a close 2-0 lead.

Gunter led off with a single to center field and moved into scoring after Hanna Miller laid down a sacrifice bunt.

After moving to third on a dropped third strike, Gunter gave the Lady Indians a 3-0 lead as she scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Carmen Prior.

The ball was misplayed and courtesy runner Caison Byars followed Gunter home with another run while Prior raced around the bases and stopped at third.

Warren laid down a bunt single that allowed Prior to score and the lead grew to 5-0 but the former raced to second on the throw home and the attempt to get her at second failed as the ball was on a throwing error and Warren, who went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs, was able to score her second run of the game.

Davis and Lynch followed with consecutive singles that gave each 2-for-3 afternoons at the plate and both eventually scored on a double by Vaughan.

The top of the fifth inning was typical Vaughan as she surrendered a single to Brittany Trammell to open the frame but was part of a force play at second before recording a strikeout and a ground ball to end the game.

In five innings, Vaughan allowed Trammell’s single as one to Charla Echols in the first inning and a fourth inning double to Kelsey Williston.

Northgate JV defeats EC JV