LAURINBURG — The Lady Scots have been on quite the winning streak as of late.

On Friday, the team picked up its sixth consecutive victory, a 9-5 win over Pinecrest, on the road in Southern Pines. The win streak started on March 26 in non-conference action against Anson.

Since then the Lady Scots swept their series with Seventy-First, outscoring the Lady Falcons, 35-0. The Lady Scots trounced Pinecrest, 6-1 last Tuesday then rolled past Terry Sanford, 14-3 before their most recent four-run victory over Pinecrest.

The Lady Scots opened up the first inning with a run off Pinecrest starter Gracie Hough. In the circle for the Lady Scots, sophomore Bree Steele threw four scoreless innings before giving up two runs in the bottom of the fourth to give Pinecrest a 2-1 lead.

Now playing catch up, the Lady Scots put up a three spot in the fifth inning to regain the lead, 4-2 but that didn’t last long as Pinecrest scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning for a second lead change.

The Lady Scots offense stayed consistent as they scored three more runs in the top of the sixth to keep the lead, 7-4. Steele got it done in the circle in the sixth holding the Lady Patriots scoreless. The Lady Scots extended their lead to five, 9-4 in the top of the seventh, but Pinecrest was threatening in the bottom half of the inning.

Steele kept her composure and only gave up one run to seal the 9-5 win for her team. The Lady Scots sophomore threw a complete game allowing five runs off seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.

“Bree pitched a great game, she kept her composure when the umpire suddenly changed the strike zone and she had to go away from what she had been throwing and pitch perfect strikes to get a call,” said Lady Scots head coach Adam Romaine.

The Lady Scots defense committed six fielding errors and for the first time this season didn’t lose the game because of them.

“We were able to do the right thing and find a way to win,” he said. “I’m proud of the girls for not letting up and doing the things they needed to do.“

Sophomore Katie Smith led the Lady Scots going 2-for-4 with an RBI. She is batting .371 in her first varsity season. Senior Macie Gibson went 2-for-4 and is the second leading hitter for the Lady Scots with a .500 batting average behind fellow senior Katie Lighthall who is hitting .625.

With the win, the Lady Scots move to 8-6 overall and 4-6 in conference play while Pinecrest falls to 3-12 overall and 2-8 in SAC-8 play.

Scotland sits in sixth place, one game behind Hoke in fifth place at 4-5. Richmond leads the league at 10-0 followed by Purnell Swett in second at 7-3. Lumberton sits in third place at 6-3, one game ahead of fourth place Jack Britt at 6-4.

The Lady Scots hit the road tonight to take on the Lady Pirates in their second to last conference series. Lumberton will come to Laurinburg on Friday to close out the week. Both games are slated to begin at 7 p.m.

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

Amber Hatten-Staley | Laurinburg Exchange Lady Scots second baseman Madison Williams catches a fly ball during last week’s game against Pinecrest. The team swept the Lady Patriots with a 9-5 victory on Friday to extend their win streak to six games.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_IMG_0822.jpgAmber Hatten-Staley | Laurinburg Exchange Lady Scots second baseman Madison Williams catches a fly ball during last week’s game against Pinecrest. The team swept the Lady Patriots with a 9-5 victory on Friday to extend their win streak to six games.
Head to Lumberton tonight

By Amber Hatten-Staley

Sports editor

Scotland

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Pinecrest

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