South Putnam rolled up by Lebanon bats

South Putnam had an uphill climb hosting the Class 3A Lebanon as the Tigers pounded out 18 runs on 18 hits to defeat the Eagles 18-5 at Dalton Field Tuesday evening.

Lebanon would jump out to a quick 5-0 lead in the top of the first. A pair of singles started the inning, followed by a pair of sac flies. Four more hits and a walk later, the Tigers were up five. They would add another in the second. A leadoff walk to MacKenzie Carey was followed by two stolen bases and would score on a dropped third strike to make it 6-0.

The Tigers began to blow it open in the third as they tallied six runs on just three hits. Four walks in the inning came back to haunt the Eagles as the lead was pushed to 12.

South Putnam answered back in the bottom half. Jocelyn Pilcher started it off with a single. With two outs, Ariel Dooley had a little Texas leaguer drop, Chlara Pistelli drove in the first Eagle run, Jaycie Jackson brought in two with a single and Peyton Freeman brought home one more with a single of her own.

Things stayed quiet until the sixth when Lebanon started to figure out the Eagle bullpen. The Tigers added six runs in the sixth. The big blow was a two-RBI single from Charli Albea. South Putnam was able to tack one more in the bottom of the sixth. Pilcher added her second hit of the night to lead it off. Danae Cline followed that up with a single of her own. Lilah Holderfield made it three in a row to bring home Pilcher. Sophomore pitcher Krryn Miller was able to close it out for the 18-5 victory.

“Our pitchers got a little frustrated out there tonight. We are trying to build up some stamina in our pitchers so they can go longer. We had several freshman out there with two in the infield and the starting pitcher tonight,” Eagle coach Mark Hamilton said.

The Eagles fall to 0-3 in the early stages of the season. They will travel to Covenant Christian on Thursday. Lebanon remains undefeated at 4-0. Pilcher and Holderfield led the attack with two hits each and Jackson had two RBIs to lead the way.

Lebanon 516 006 — 18 18 0

South Putnam 004 001 — 5 9 2

Batting Leaders

Hits - (SP) Holderfield 2-3, Pilcher 2-4, 6 with 1; (L) Johnson 4-5, Hollingsworth 3-4, Blount 3-5

RBI - (SP) Jackson 2, Holderfield 1, Pistelli 1, Freeman 1; (L) Hollingsworth 4, Ottinger 3, Albea 3

Pitching