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Bats take care of Banks
DCHS Softball pic
Pitcher Jenna Abbott delivers a pitch. Abbott pitched four innings and recorded 10 strikeouts against Banks County. - photo by Ryan Coker Dawson Community News

Timely hitting and good defense allowed coach Jimmy Pruett's Lady Tiger softball team to pick up its first Region 7-AAA win of the season Aug. 30 over Banks County.

Behind the strong pitching of Jenna Abbott and Martie Rogers, Dawson came away with a 6-3 victory.

It was the only game that Dawson County played last week. Tuesday's game against North Hall was rained out and will be rescheduled later this month.

Dawson County is currently 8-5-1 on the season, but more importantly the team is 1-0 in Region 7-AAA.

"We played defense at crucial times," Pruett said. "I thought we had some big hits with runners in scoring position. It was a huge game to get our first region win."

Abbott started the game and mowed down the first three batters she faced.

Dawson scored two runs in the bottom of the first to take a 2-0 lead.

Rogers led off the first with a single after one out. Abbott walked, Heather Hensley pinch ran, putting runners on first and second base. Catcher Samantha Moulder stepped to the plate and responded with a clutch single that drove in Rogers.

Emily Hunsucker hit a hard ball to second base. The Lady Leopard second baseman couldn't handle the ball and Hensley scored.

The Lady Tigers added two more runs in the second inning.

Freshmen Tabitha Morrison and Carly Gilreath singled to put two runners on base.

Abbott came up with a clutch hit up the middle that drove in the two base runners.

Pruett's team had a comfortable 4-0 lead.

Banks County answered in the top of the third with two runs to cut Dawson's lead in half.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Lady Tigers plated two more runs to put the game out of reach.

A single by Natalie Burt led off the inning.

Becca Monkus laid down a perfect bunt that moved Burt to second. Morrison stepped to the plate and hit a shot down the left field line that drove in Burt and picked up an RBI.

Gilreath then singled and stole second base. Rogers walked loading the bases. Morrison crossed the plate on a passed ball.

Dawson was in control with a 6-2 lead.

The Lady Leopards added a run in the sixth inning before Rogers retired the final three batters to pick up a save.

Abbott was allowed to pitch 4 innings or 60 pitches for the first time this season. She picked up the win, after allowing only two hits, while striking out 10 batters.

Rogers came on in relief to pitch the final 3 innings. She allowed two hits while recording six strikeouts.

At the plate: Gilreath, 2-for-4, Abbott, 2-for-3, and Morrison, 2-for-3, had multi-hit games. Rogers also had a good day at the plate going 1-for-2 with a single, walk and a sacrifice.

Dawson will play at East Hall on Thursday. First pitch is set for 5:55 p.m.

On Sept. 11, the Lady Tigers will play host to No. 10 ranked Fannin County. First pitch is set for 5:55 p.m.