DOTHAN, Ala. — The No. 6 Pearl River softball team had a hugely successful trip to the Visit Dothan Invitational on Saturday, taking down all three opponents that it faced.
The Wildcats crushed Southeast Arkansas 14-0 in five innings before earning a tough 7-6 win over Northwest-Shoals. Pearl River wrapped up the day by knocking off Shelton State 4-0.
"Today was a good day," head coach Christie Meeks said. "We learned a lot about each other and fought together. I was proud of all three pitchers today and our team battling for them."
PEARL RIVER 14, SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS 0.
It was an electric appearance for the Pearl River (9-0 overall) offense in its first game of the day as the Wildcats jumped out to a 7-0 advantage almost as quickly as the game began. With two runners aboard, Bryn Daughtery (Vancleave) laced a double into right field to bring in the first two runs of the contest. PRCC loaded up the bases moments later, and Sophia Montiforte (Biloxi) picked up an RBI when a pitch hit her. PRCC's two-sport athlete Peyton Hoffmayer (Ocean Springs) broke things open moments later, seeing four pitches before sending the fifth deep over the left field wall for a grand slam. The homer was the first in her collegiate career.
The Wildcats tacked on four more runs in the third frame. The first crossed home plate on a Madelyn Bourgoyne (Walker, La.) RBI double into centerfield. Klair Cuevas (Poplarville; Hancock) tacked on another run by crossing the plate on a passed ball. An error allowed the next Wildcat run to score, and Daughtery closed out the scoring in the frame with a sacrifice fly, 11-0.
Hoffmayer continued her excellent start to the day in the fourth inning, smacking an RBI double into centerfield. An RBI groundout by Bourgoyne pushed Montiforte across the plate, and CC Spiers (Leakesville; Green County) capped the scoring by slapping a pinch-hit single into the outfield, 14-0.
Daughtery made quick work of SEARK in the top of the fifth to secure the run-rule victory. The right-hander finished with five innings pitched, striking out three batters. She walked just one and allowed only three hits. Daughtery also went 1-for-2 at the plate with three RBIs and a run scored.
Hoffmayer went 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored and five RBIs. She collected a pair of extra-base hits. Lainee Bailey (Walker, La.) was 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored.
"It was a huge day for Peyton," Meeks said. "She hit some balls that were no doubters. She was clam and confident. I loved it."
PEARL RIVER 7, NORTHWEST-SHOALS 6
It looked as if Pearl River was on its way to another big-time victory in game two as the Wildcats picked up two first-inning runs — highlighted by a Caitlyn Riche (Walker, La.) RBI double, 2-0. NWSCC (1-10) responded in the third inning with the help of a Wildcat miscue, fighting to take a 3-2 advantage.
The Wildcats didn't let giving up the lead affect them as they moved back in front in the bottom of the fourth inning with Mississippi College signee Lavergne sending a line drive into right field for a two-run single, 4-3. PRCC got the insurance it needed in the fifth frame, using an Anna Kate Rounsaville (Gulfport) sacrifice fly and a passed ball to extend the lead to 6-3.
The Patriots got one run closer in the sixth on an RBI ground out, but PRCC matched it in the bottom half of the inning with a Bailey RBI single, 7-4.
Bailey found herself in some trouble in the circle in the top of the seventh as NWSCC used a walk and two singles to get within one run. PRCC opted to bring in Natalie Herrington (Petal) with a 3-0 count and the tying run in scoring position. The Southern Miss signee did what she does best, forcing a ground out to end the game, 7-6.
Bailey finished with 6 2/3 innings pitched, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks. Only three of the runs were earned. She struck out nine Patriot batters. Herrington recorded the final out to earn a save.
Lavergne finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Bailey was 1-for-2 with two walks and an RBI.
PEARL RIVER 4, SHELTON STATE 0.
Pearl River handed the ball to Herrington for its final game of the day against Shelton State (2-4), and the right-hander went right to work, striking out the first three batters that walked to the plate. PRCC wasted no time getting some run support for Herrington, scoring a run in the bottom of the first when Daughtery ripped a triple into right field, 1-0.
The one run of support was all that Herrington needed, but the Wildcats gave her a little bit bigger of a cushion in the sixth inning. Daughtery led off with a double, and one batter later, Rounsaville drew a walk. Hoffmayer's big day continued as the freshman crushed a 3-run home run over the center field wall to increase the lead to 4-0.
Herrington returned to the circle in the seventh inning and put an end to the game with three quick outs, securing the 4-0 victory.
Herrington struck out 10 batters in her complete-game effort, only giving up four hits and three walks.
Daughtery went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, driving in one run. She doubled and tripled in the contest. The sophomore went 5-for-9 with four extra-base hits across all three games. Hoffmayer finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs.
UP NEXT
Pearl River is back home on Tuesday as part of its Mardis Gras Invitational. The Wildcats will take on LSU Eunice for a 3/5 p.m. doubleheader.
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now at PRCCAthletics.com/Tickets. General admission tickets are $8 per game. Season passes can be purchased for $75 for softball or a softball/baseball season pass can be purchased for $100.
HOW TO WATCH
The Wildcats will once again livestream all games for free at PRCCMedia.com/gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).