PELAHATCHIE — After being shut out by eighth-grade pitcher Jordan Herring in the first two innings, Adams County Christian School scored one run each in the next four innings to defeat East Rankin 4-1 Monday afternoon.

ACCS and East Rankin were originally scheduled to take on each other in a varsity doubleheader, but East Rankin decided to play a junior varsity game instead. Perhaps the Lady Patriots should have had Herring on the mound for that game as she pitched well against the Lady Rebels in the varsity game.

“Carlee is 13 years old. She threw an extremely good ball game,” ACCS head coach Forrest Foster said. “She did a really good job. She struck out six.”

The Lady Rebels broke through in the top of the third inning. Sage Atkins got on base and later scored on an RBI double by Kaitlan Melton.

In the top of the fourth inning, Lindsey Barber led off with a double. After Sage Atkins drew a base on balls, Tori Laird singled in Barber and the Lady Rebels led 2-0.

That would be all the run support winning pitcher Mary Sanders would need as she allowed just three hits, struck out five and walked just two in a complete-game effort. She pitched five scoreless innings before the Lady Patriots scored their only run in the bottom of the sixth innings.

Foster was pleased with not only how well Sanders pitched, but also the defense behind her. ACCS (8-8) didn’t commit a single error in this game – quite the turnaround from its 10-error game in a win at Central Private last Thursday.

“Mary threw a good game. We played real good defense behind her,” Foster said. “That’s the key to winning ball games is good defense. Shelby Guice was responsible for eight of the putouts at second base. She was busy tonight. They put the ball in play”

ACCS then made it a 3-0 game in the top of the fifth when Melton hit a leadoff single, stole second base, stole third base and scored on a passed ball. One inning later, Atkins hit a leadoff single, went to second when Laird walked and over to third on a single by Guice. Melton then brought in Atkins with a single.

Melton had a big game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs batted in.

As for the JV game, ACCS defeated East Rankin 10-0 in three innings. Atkins pitched a no-hitter, Laird went 4-for-4 and Nikki Worthy was 3-for-3.