By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
CHOCOWINITY — The combination of timely first inning hitting along with solid pitching performances by Gabby Cilluffo and Emily Smith allowed Southside to coast to a 10-0 victory in five innings over Atlantic Conference rival Plymouth Thursday at Southside High School.
The win ups the Seahawks’ record to 5-1 (3-0), while the loss dropped the Vikings to 0-4.
Plymouth coach Elrica Cooper said that despite the loss, the Vikings are beginning to improve.
The Seahawks showed patience at the plate as they were able to draw some early walks, which, along with some Vikings’ defensive miscues, allowed Southside to rally for five runs in the first inning.
Leadoff hitter Kristen Ayers drew a base on balls off Vikings’ starter Brooke Gurganus, and was followed by Sidney Harrison, who knocked a single.
Gurganus pitched all five innings for the Vikings, and after the game Cooper said her young starter threw the ball well in the loss.
One batter after the Harrison single, Chelsi Chandler ripped the ball to the left side of the infield, which was misplayed by the Vikings and allowed Ayers and Harrison to score to put the Seahawks up 2-0.
After a Resla Penn double, D.D. Stanley laced a double to left to score Chandler and Penn, putting Southside up 4-0.
The Seahawks would score their fifth run of the inning when Mandi Harding drew a bases loaded walk that scored Stanley.
Lohman said he was happy to see his offense produce early in the game.
Lohman didn’t have to worry about a comeback on Thursday, as Cilluffo and Smith were able to shut down the Vikings’ hitters.
In three innings, Cilluffo struck out three, while letting up two hits to get the win. Smith came on to pitch the fourth and the fifth innings, allowing no runs and one hit.
After the game Lohman praised the effort of his two pitchers.
The Seahawks tacked on another run in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead into the fifth inning, where they were able to close out the game.
After Smith and Kelli Hardison crossed the plate for Southside, Chandler delivered the knock out blow with a two-run double to right that scored Sidney Harding and Shakira Lomax to end the game at 10-0.
Both teams will have a long stretch off before their next game. Southside will return to action next Friday when it plays Edenton in the Northside Easter Tournament at 10 a.m., while the Vikings will be back on the diamond on April 1 when it hosts Williamston.
Plymouth 000 00 — 0 3 5
Southside 500 14 — 10 7 0
WP: Gabby Cilluffo; LP: Brooke Gurganus
Hitters: P — Khadija Young 1-2, Brooke Paxton 1-3, Tiffany McKimmey 1-3; SS — Kristen Ayers 1-4 (RBI, 3 R), Sidney Harrison 1-3, 2 RBI), Chelsi Chandler 1-3 (2 RBI), Resla Penn 1-4 (2B, R), D.D. Stanley 1-3 (2B, 3 RBI), Emily Smith 1-1 (2B, R), Mandi Harding 1-2.