By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great local journalism.
Lady Eagles win region softball opener
web-sports-sfnfsoftball1
South Forsyth pitcher Alexa Ditmar winds up to deliver a pitch against North Forsyth last week. South came away with the victory, 7-1. - photo by Jared Putnam

South Forsyth rose up against North Forsyth behind a career day from pitcher Alexa Ditmar.

Ditmar quieted the Lady Raiders’ bats with a 2-hit, 10-strikeout complete game to lead the Lady War Eagles to a 7-1 victory at home last week in their Region 7-AAAAA opener.

South coach Ronnie Davis said he has held his sophomore hurler to a higher standard this season, and he was pleased with the way she threw the ball in this start.

Ditmar’s 10 strikeouts were a personal best.

“It’s not just [about] having a decent outing, it’s having a good outing,” Davis said.

“She’s getting a little more confident each game that she pitches. She had a very good performance. For the most part, I think she did a very good job of sticking to our game plan.”

The Lady Eagles jumped ahead in the bottom of the first inning when Jenna Quinn (1-for-4, RBI) laced a two-out triple to right-center field to score Amelia Schmid (2-for-3, 2 runs).

North tied things up in the top of the fourth, but South pulled ahead for good in the fifth.

Schmid came up with a 1-out single and Lakan Smith (2-for-3) doubled to put runners at second and third base.

Andrea Cocco (1-for-3, 2 RBI) later followed with a 2-out, 2-run double to center to put South on top 3-1. Pinch runner Ashley Bland stole third and eventually scored on a throwing error.

South tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the sixth with the help of more throwing errors from North, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Davis said the game was closer than the score revealed, but that his team was simply able to get outs when it needed them.

“They had opportunities early to put some runs on the board ... and we made plays, whether it was a strikeout or a play in the field,” the coach said.

The win could provide a confidence boost for South after a 2007 campaign in which the Lady Eagles struggled to a 1-8 finish in region play.

“It’s always good to get a win early on,” Davis said. “Any time you can get a win in our region, every one that you get is precious.”

Weather
CUMMING WEATHER