The Shadow
MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Patrick & Henry Community College softball delivered an impressive performance Tuesday on Day Two of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, sweeping a pair of games at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex. The Patriots defeated Central Lakes College-Brainerd 3-0 before following with an 8-0 win over Delaware Technical Community College.
The doubleheader sweep continued a strong stretch for P&HCC during its spring break trip to Myrtle Beach.
Sophomore Lily Carola (Union, W.Va.) led the way in the opener, throwing a complete-game shutout to secure the 3-0 victory over Central Lakes. Carola struck out eight and controlled the Raiders’ offense throughout the contest.
The Patriots broke through in the second inning when freshman Trinity Aherron (Danville, Va.) grounded out to score the game’s first run. P&HCC added another run in the third after sophomore Laura Brown (Verona, Va.) tripled to center field.
Brown led the Patriots with two hits in three at-bats, while both she and Aherron recorded an RBI. P&HCC also created pressure on the basepaths, collecting four stolen bases. Defensively, the Patriots played a clean game without committing an error, while sophomore Haley Goode (Moneta, Va.) recorded nine defensive chances.
The Patriots carried that momentum into the second game against Delaware Tech.
P&HCC jumped on the board early in the first inning when freshman McKenzie Cobb (Yanceyville, N.C.) drove in a run on a groundout. Sophomore Aris Smith (King George, Va.) followed with a three-run single to give the Patriots a commanding early lead.
The offense continued to build in the second inning when Brown doubled down the left field line and another run scored on a Delaware Tech error.
Smith also earned the win in the circle, allowing just one hit over three shutout innings while striking out two. Freshman Sierra Custer (Grottoes, Va.) added two scoreless innings in relief to help secure the shutout.
Smith finished 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBI from the seventh spot in the lineup, while freshman Allison Brooks (Stuarts Draft, Va.) drew two walks as the Patriots showed patience at the plate with four total walks in the game.
Head Coach Robbi Campbell praised the team’s ability to execute on both sides of the ball.
“We played really solid softball today,” Campbell said. “Our pitchers set the tone, our defense stayed consistent, and offensively we did a great job creating opportunities and capitalizing on them. It’s great to see the team continuing to grow and compete the way they have during this trip.”
The Patriots will be back at it on Wednesday at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic with two games at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex. P&HCC will face St. Clair County Community College (NJCAA Division II, Region 12) at 9:00 a.m., followed by a matchup with Kaskaskia College (NJCAA Division I, Region 24) at 11:00 a.m., both scheduled for Field 10.
For the full schedule and tournament updates, visit phccsports.com.
