TCHS Rolls Over ECI

Casey Cantwell led the Toombs County High School Lady Bulldog softball team to a resounding 16-7 victory over Emanuel County Institute on Thursday, driving in five runs on three hits. Cantwell’s standout performance included a home run to left field in the fourth inning, a single in the third, and another single in the seventh.

The Bulldogs started strong, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning thanks to a fielder’s choice by Aniston Powell and a sacrifice fly by Mishi Smith. However, ECI quickly tied the game in the bottom of the first with a walk and an error.

ECI would take a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the second after a solo home and an error. But the Bulldogs roared back in the fourth inning, scoring five runs on three hits to take a 9-5 lead, highlighted by Cantwell’s three-run homer and a solo homerun by A. Powell.

ECI managed to score another run on a solo home run in the sixth, but the Bulldogs sealed their victory with four more runs in the seventh. Cyleigh Ennis hit a solo home run to right field, followed by additional runs from errors and a single by Cantwell.

Cantwell started the game in the circle, allowing four hits and five runs (three earned) over three innings, striking out five and walking four. Shay Stringer pitched four innings in relief for the Bulldogs, giving up three hits and two runs while striking out four and walking one.

The Lady Bulldogs amassed 11 hits in the game, with Emerson Powell and Nora Grace Mercer each collecting multiple hits.

Toombs was scheduled to take on Thomson at home on Monday and East Laurens on Tuesday, but those games have been cancelled due to Hurricane Debby. Depending on the weather and field conditions, the Bulldogs have rival Vidalia on the schedule for their first Region matchup on Thursday at Vidalia at 6:00 p.m.