The Pickens High School junior varsity softball team lost a closely contested contest 3-2 at the home opener of the JV squad from Fannin County High School.Dragonette lead off batter, Paula Pickett, reached base with a single to left field. After two strike outs, Brooke Wilson hit to the short stop and legged out a single; however, she was able to continue to second when the Lady Rebels threw home to hold up Pickett at third. Jessica Ray’s RBI single scored Pickett. The top of the inning came to a close when Makayla Payne, brought in as a courtesy runner, was thrown out in an attempted steal of second.

Kari Henke covers third
(Photo by LT Melton)

The Lady Rebels were held scoreless in the bottom of the second, as only one batter, Halle Dean, was able to reach base, sandwiched between two strike outs. Bailey Jones was thrown out at first to end the inning.

Following a lead off fly out to center field, Pickens’ Kym Elrod was walked. Following a single by Kari Henke that just missed the third basewoman’s glove, Elrod was able to steal third. The Dragonette’s hot offense was cooled when Hannah McKenzie grounded out to third and Paula Pickett flyed out to the shortstop.

The bottom of the second was highlighted by Katie Brow’s bunt single and subsequent stealing of second and third bases; however the Lady Rebels were unable to capitalize due to pitcher, Kayla Howard recording two straight strike outs to close the inning.

The top of the third saw the Nette’s first two batters go down via fly outs. Brooke Wilson’s single blooper over second base followed by Jessica Ray’s single that resulted in an extra base due to field error, were the only offensive threats as Makayla Payne flew out to center field.

The bottom of the third began with Lady Rebel, Brooklyn Maz, reaching first on a dribbler followed by Morgan Ross being hit by a pitch.. Dean loaded the bases, with a single. Both Ross and Maz were able to score buy stealing home on an errant pitch, to make the score 2-1 in Fannin’s favor. Following a sacrifice ground out by Amy Mintz, Dean stole home, after an overthrow, to give Fannin a two run lead and the final Lady Rebel score of the night.

Paula Pickett at the plate
(Photo by LT Melton)

The Dragonettes continued to try to catch fire in the fourth and final inning, when Elrod lead off with a single, but reached second on an overthrow at first. She later reached third via a steal. The next batter, MaryJo Childers, drove her home with an RBI single, making the score 3-2. The Nette’s fire was doused when following a sacrifice bunt by McKenzie, Pickett struck out and Lauren Southern flyed out to the short stop to end the game.