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It was a slugfest throughout the ball game, as the Southland Academy Raiders (SAR) and the Baconton Charter Blazers (BC) combined for 18 hits, but the Raiders were able to outscore BC and would go on to win by the score of 18-10 thanks to some clutch hitting by SAR and five errors committed by the Blazers.

BC jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Raiders scored a run in the bottom half of the first and nine runs in the second inning to take a 10-6 lead at that point.

“I felt like we didn’t come out ready to work in the top of the first inning and they jumped and put six on us right there,” SAR Head Coach Blaze Hargrove said. “I’m really proud that they didn’t quit. They came in here and fought and were able to answer back. We did a really good job at the bat today. We still competed and did a really good job of putting the pressure on them. We still need to clean things up with pitching and defense and that will happen with time. I’m super proud of them right now for the way they are fighting and competing.”

Adler Rae Owens led the Raiders’ offense by going 2 for 3 at the plate with two RBIs and three runs scored. Gracie Usher went 1 for 2 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored and Ila Johnson went 1 for 3 with a double, three RBIs and scored a run.

Riley McRee got the start in the circle for the Raiders, but struggled in her outing. In one inning of work, she gave up six runs on five hits with three walks and one strikeout. Ila Johnson came on in relief of McRee and gave up four runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout. Payton Weeks came on in relief of Johnson and pitched two scoreless innings. She gave up just three hits and struck out two batters.

The big inning that set the tone for the rest of the game was the second inning, as SAR would score nine runs on three hits and would take advantage of three walks, four hit batsmen and one error.

The Blazers responded with four runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game at 10-10, but the Raiders countered with three runs in the fourth and four in the fifth to salt away the 18-10 victory.

SAR is now 2-2 on the season and will try for its third straight win when the Raiders host Tiftarea Academy at home on Tuesday, August 13 at 4 p.m.