DHS softball team beats Marlboro County 7 – 0
By Will Isgett, Contributing Writer
Playing in a region with softball powers Hartsville and Marlboro County, the Darlington Lady Falcons have to play each game with near perfection.
In their game against Marlboro County last week, Darlington did just that.
Senior pitcher Adrianna Weatherford pitched a complete game, giving up only four hits while striking out 11 in a 7-0 win over the Lady Bulldogs. The win improves Darlington to 4-0 in the region, which helps them keep pace with Hartsville, who is also undefeated as of press time. The two teams will meet in Darlington on April 10.
“We’re getting better at the little things, and I’m very pleased with them,” said Darlington head coach Tim Wiley. “This was a big win and it helps us with our standing in the region.”
Darlington pitcher Adrianna Weatherford delivers a pitch in the Lady Falcons 7-0 win over Marlboro County last week.
Photo submitted by Arielle Case
The top four teams from the region will make the playoffs, with the top two seeds hosting home games. With only six more region contests upcoming, the Lady Falcons look to be contenders for the region title.
Coming into the season head coach Wiley said the team did not have a true pitcher; but, throughout the first ten games the pitching trio of Weatherford, Bailey Yarborough and Chloe Hicks have stepped up and are playing well. Lady Falcon pitchers have combined for a 1.51 ERA while giving up only 48 hits and striking out 52 through 10 games.
“The pitching been the biggest plus for us this year,” Wiley said. “They don’t throw overpowering stuff, but they are mixing their pitches up and throwing off hitters.”
The Lady Falcon offense wasted no time in jumping on Marlboro County starter and Lander softball signee, Kasey Rogers.
In the second inning, Lady Falcon leadoff hitter Hannah Gainey hit the ball deep in the hole to second base and ended up scoring on a Bailey Yarborough fielder’s choice to put Darlington up 1-0.
The Lady Falcons plated three runs in the third and fifth innings to put the game away.
In the third, Hicks reached on a throwing error and scored on a single by Bailey Yarborough to make the score 2-0. Kirsten Stone who went 2 – for – 3 on the day then singled to right scoring Haley Clark, who reached on an error and Bailey Yarborough to make the score 4-0.
In the fifth inning, Gainey led off with a single and came around to score on another single by Stone to make the score 5-0. Carson Yarborough’s single to right plated Clark, who again reached on an error and Stone for the final margin.
Darlington improves to 7-3 overall with the win.
Batting statistics through the Marlboro County game:
Carson Yarborough .409
Kirsten Stone .394
Hannah Gainey .368
Haley Clark .321
Crystal James .300
Pitching statistics through the Marlboro County game:
Adrianna Weatherford 5-1 overall with a 1.85 ERA
Bailey Yarborough 2-1 with a 0.56 ERA
Chloe Hicks 0-1 with a 3.50 ERA
