By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
YEATESVILLE — It took some time for Bear Grass to get going offensively. However, the Bears heated up plenty in a 7-1 win over the Northside Panthers during Friday’s Northside Easter Softball Tournament.
The Bears (7-3) finished with eight hits, with the bulk of those coming in the final two at bats.
“I feel really good about this,” Bear Grass coach Danny Webb said. “We have a young team. The girls came out and played good.”
Taylor Johnson earned the complete-game win for the Bears. She allowed the one run and scattered seven hits while striking out three batters.
“Taylor Johnson did an excellent job on the mound,” Webb said.
She had some help behind her as the Bears turned in a solid defensive performance.
“Defensively, we were superb,” Webb said.
Northside pitcher Lilyann Arnold, who fanned nine batters, baffled the Bears until the late innings.
“I think we had to see her one time,” Webb said. “Lilyann is a very good pitcher.
“We had to see her a couple times before we were able to put the ball in play.”
Sarah Mosely (2-3, 3B, RBI, SB, 2 runs) led the Bears in hitting. Her RBI-triple was a big blow during a five-run sixth inning.
The Bears also got hits from Kimberly Mobley (1-2), Courtney Ward (1-2), Ashley White (1-3, 3B, RBI), Lauren Ward (1-3, RBI), Kaitlyn Sitterson (1-3) and Johnson (1-4).
The bottom of the lineup, including Sarah Mosely and White, really came through for the Bears.
“I love that,” Webb said. “I’m really proud of the bottom of the lineup. They did a super job today.”
Northside scored its lone run in the seventh. Carolina Slade (1-3) drove in Jena Payne (1-3) with a single.
Arnold (2-3) led Northside with a pair of hits. Also getting hits for the Panthers were Amanda Daw (1-3), Britney Alligood (1-3) and Elizabeth Harris (1-4).
The Bears will face Manteo, an 11-8 winner over Farmville, in today’s winners bracket game at 2:30 p.m. The winner will play for the tournament championship at 5:30 p.m.
“We need the same thing,” Webb said. “We need good defense, strong pitching and timely hitting.”