Hilliard hurls Lady Rams past Weldon

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 4, 2007

CREEKSVILLE – Lacey Hilliard earned two wins as she pitched seven innings in two games to lead Northampton-East over Weldon in Tuesday’s double header.

East scored 14 runs in the first inning, batting through the lineup twice, as they took the first game in three innings by a score of 14-0.

The Lady Rams had four hits in the opening inning, but were aided by six Weldon errors.

East was aggressive in running the bases, stealing seven, and brought three runners home on passed balls.

Hilliard allowed only one hit in the first game, striking out four batters and walking one. JoAnn Rose and Jalissa Parker both doubled to bring home two runners.

Weldon kept it close in the second game, trailing 6-2 going into the fourth, but East scored seven runs to take a 14-2 victory in four innings.

Alicia Piland got the Lady Rams started with a single to left field.

With two out Mindy Drewette was walked then advanced to third on a Weldon error while Piland crossed home plate.

Rose reached first after an error and both runners came home on Hilliard’s double to right field.

Weldon’s Dawnelle Cheathan took first after an East error.

Shemika Robinson singled to right field followed by a Latoya Simmons shot to left field.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Candis Simmons was walked, plating Cheathan.

Hilliard struck out the next batter for the final out of the inning as East held a 3-1 advantage.

Christina Pair’s hit to right field was bobbled, allowing Pair to reach first.

She stole second and third and came home after another Weldon error for East’s only run of the second.

Alexis Ward walked to first then stole two bases before coming home on a Robinson single.

It would be Weldon’s final run of the game as Hillard struck out four of the final seven batters she faced.

East wasn’t finished running the bases, adding runs by Drewette and Rose in the third to extend their lead to four (6-2).

It was the fourth inning that sealed the win as seven runners crossed home, including a grand slam by Drewette, to seal a 14-2 victory.

Drewette was 2-of-3 from the plate with four RBIs.

Hilliard struck out eight batters and walked four.