Hutchins, Beard lead Trinity

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Trinity Episcopal Day School batter Gabby Knight hits a fly ball during the Saints' softball game Monday evening against Amite School Center. (Jay Sowers \ The Natchez Democrat)

Trinity Episcopal Day School batter Gabby Knight hits a fly ball during the Saints’ softball game Monday evening against Amite School Center. (Jay Sowers \ The Natchez Democrat)

VIDALIA — Trinity Episcopal got a solid performance from Kailey Hutchins on the mound and Tali Beard at the plate as the Lady Saints held on for a 9-6 win over the Amite School Center Lady Rebels Monday afternoon at the Concordia Recreation District 3 Complex.

Hutchins pitched all seven innings and scattered seven hits to go with four strikeouts and two walks. All six runs she gave up were unearned as the defense behind her committed six errors. But unlike its last two games, Trinity did not allow its opponent to take the momentum away.

“Kailey pitched an excellent game. She got ahead in the count. She had good command,” Lady Saints head coach Miranda Doughty said. “We still had some errors that we need to work on, but we kept them in check. We didn’t allow the big inning.”

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After Trinity grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, Amite School Center responded with two runs in the top of the second. That lead wouldn’t last long, however, as the Lady Saints answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the second for a 4-2 lead.

The Lady Rebels scored one run in the top of the fourth to make it a 4-3 game before the Lady Saints took control with three runs in the bottom of the fourth and two in the bottom of the fifth for a 9-3 advantage.

Beard had a big part in Trinity’s 13-hit attack as she went 3-for-4 with a triple. Hutchins helped her cause by going 2-for-2. Kayla Gilmore also went 3-for-4 for the Lady Saints.

“They hit the ball well from the first inning to the fifth inning,” Doughty said. “I told the team before the game to play the game looser, that they were too tight, and have some fun. That made a difference. Every win builds confidence, and that’s what they need.”

The Lady Rebels scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning, but that’s as close as they would get.

Trinity Episcopal (2-2) next plays at 8 a.m. Saturday in the Amite School Center Tournament against ASC’s junior varsity team.