RAMSEUR — Kelsey Craven hurled a two-hitter to propel Eastern Randolph to a 4-0 shut out of visiting Jordan-Matthews March 7 in 2A PAC 7 Conference softball action.
Craven allowed just singles to Avery Headen and Jocelyn Mitchell in the 1st and 7th innings respectively while issuing no walks and striking out nine.
Eastern Randolph (2-0 conference, 4-0 overall) gave Craven all the run support it needed in the home half of the 1st when Aniyah King reached on a one-out bunt single, Craven doubled to right center, King scored on a passed ball, and Craven crossed home plate after a costly J-M error to make the score 2-0.
After LeeAnn Lilly was hit by a pitch in the 2nd, Jordan-Matthews (1-1, 1-4) was retired in order in the next four innings until Emery Moore was plunked by a wild pitch in the 7th, and Mitchell singled to right field with no outs. Eastern Randolph turned a double play moments later to squash the threat in the 7th.
Mitchell did a good job keeping the Jets in the contest but the Wildcats finally gained some separation in the bottom of the 6th when Craven singled, Shyanne Gay mashed an RBI triple, and Savannah Beaver grounded out to second to plate Gay, upping the lead to 4-0.
For the game, Mitchell went all six innings and allowed five hits, four runs (two earned), no walks while striking out two.
Craven was 2-for-3 with two runs and a double to lead the Eastern Randolph offense while Gay was 1-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a triple, King 1-for-3 with a run, and Courtnee Carter 1-for-3.