By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
WINTERVILLE — Through the first five innings, Washington’s defense only allowed one ball to go into the outfield. Unfortunately for the Pam Pack, it would prove costly against South Central in a battle of top 10 teams during Tuesday’s Coastal Conference softball action at the Sara Law Complex.
Nina Varner reached when pitcher Charity Watson’s throw to first base sailed down the right field line. Varner actually scooted all the way home on the play in the fifth inning, resulting in a 2-1 win for South Central.
Washington (10-1, 6-1 Coastal Conference), ranked seventh in the latest N.C. Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association poll, and 10th-ranked South Central (13-2, 6-1) are now tied with D.H. Conley for first place in the conference.
Watson (10-1) suffered the loss despite allowing two bunt singles. Both runs she allowed were unearned. The sophomore struck out seven, her lowest total of the season, and walked one.
Caitlin Wainright was sensational for South Central. The long, lanky pitcher allowed a pair of hits while striking out 12 and walking two.
The Falcons took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when the Pam Pack couldn’t execute a rundown when a runner got caught off third base.
Washington tied it in the top of the fifth. Hayley Stowe dropped down a bunt single and she went to third on Kayla Spain’s single into right. Stowe later scored on a passed ball on a ball that didn’t go far from catcher Emily Perkins.
South Central recaptured the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Varner led off by laying down a bunt. Watson’s errant throw allowed Varner to score on the four-base error.
Washington went down in order in the sixth and seventh innings.
Perkins and Varner had the lone hits for South Central.
In junior varsity action, Washington posted a 7-5 win behind the solid pitching of Samantha Barber, who also went 2-4 at the plate. Other top hitters for the Pack were Brittany Bryant (3-4), Brittony Moss (3-5), Crystal Ireland (2-2) and Cassie Jones (2-4).
The Pack plays host to West Craven at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
Washington 000 010 0 – 1 2 2
S. Central 001 010 x – 2 2 1
WP: Caitlin Wainright; LP: Charity Watson
Hitters: W – Hayley Stowe 1-2 (run), Kayla Spain 1-2; SC – Emily Perkins 1-2, Nina Varner 1-2.