LAURINBURG — The Lady Scots are four games into the Sandhills Athletic Conference season and are still looking for their first win.

The Lady Scots had a chance on Friday against Purnell Swett as the two teams were scoreless through three innings. A two-run home run by the Lady Rams in the top of the fourth inning was all she wrote.

The two runs gave Purnell Swett the win as the Lady Scots bats were nearly silent with zero runs off five hits and eight runners left on base.

Lady Scots senior Macie Gibson started off the first inning with a single to left, but a ground ball to second by freshman Madison Williams resulted in a double play. A ground out by senior Katie Lighthall ended the inning for the Lady Scots.

Five batters went to the plate for the Lady Scots in the second inning off two walks and fielder’s choice but the Lady Scots were unable to push a run across.

The back and forth battle between Lady Scot’s pitcher Bree Steele and Purnell Swett’s Jaileana Deese continued as either gave up any runs — until the fourth inning.

After a ground out to start the inning, an error by Lady Scots center fielder Kassee Lowe gave Purnell a runner on. A hung pitch by Steele to Purnell’s Kierra Locklear resulted in a two-run home run that gave the Lady Rams a 2-0 lead.

“Those were the only runs scored all game,” said Scots head coach Adam Romaine. “We played lights out defense the other six innings. Offensively, we just couldn’t get a run across after having runners in scoring position three times with one out. BreAnna pitched a great game and our defense was the best it has been in weeks.”

The Lady Scots offense was led by Gibson who went 2-for-4, Lowe who was 2-for-3 and Steele was 1-for-1 with two walks.

The loss moves the Lady Scots to 2-4 overall and 0-4 in conference play while Purnell improves to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in SAC-8 play.

The Lady Scots currently sit in seventh place in the conference standings, ahead of the SAC-8’s other win-less team Seventy-First. Richmond, the reigning champions, are in first place at 4-0 while Jack Britt sits in second at 3-1. Lumberton and Hoke are tied for third at 2-1 while Purnell and Pinecrest are in a tie for fourth at 2-2.

The Lady Scots are set to take on Hoke this week in a two-game series, hosting the Lady Bucks tonight at 7 p.m., weather permitting before traveling to Raeford on Friday.

Amber Hatten-Staley can be reached at 910-506-3170 or [email protected].

Amber Hatten-Staley | Laurinburg Exchange Lady Scots junior Kassee Lowe looks towards the dugout for her sign. Lowe and the Lady Scots are still looking for their first conference win after a 2-0 loss to Purnell Swett on Friday.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_IMG_1824-1.jpgAmber Hatten-Staley | Laurinburg Exchange Lady Scots junior Kassee Lowe looks towards the dugout for her sign. Lowe and the Lady Scots are still looking for their first conference win after a 2-0 loss to Purnell Swett on Friday.
Sit in 7th place in SAC-8 standings

By Amber Hatten-Staley

Sports editor

Sandhills Athletic Conference softball standings

1. Richmond, 4-0

2. Jack Britt, 3-1

3. Lumberton, 2-1

4. Hoke, 2-1

5. Purnell Swett, 2-2

6. Pinecrest, 2-2

7. Scotland, 0-4

8. Seventy-First, 0-4