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The Southland Academy Raiders (SAR) were hoping to get the 2024 softball season started off right with a win over Calvary Christian in their first game of the Baconton Charter tournament in Baconton, GA on Friday, August 2. Things started off well for the Raiders early, as they scored four runs in the top of the first inning, but the Knights responded with five runs in the bottom of the first and six runs in the bottom of the third. That run explosion would eventually lead to a 14-8 win for the Knights over the Raiders.

The rest of the tournament was canceled due to heavy rain.

In the top of the first, Adler Rae Owens led off the game with a single and Gracie Usher would later drive in the first run of the game on a one-out RBI double. After a walk and a hit batsman, Camille Cochran drove in two more runs on an RBI single and the Raiders would later add a fourth run on an error by the Knights.

However, CC would strike back with five runs on four hits in the bottom of the first. Kendall Gumm led off the inning with a solo home run and Elizabeth Stokes would later drive in another run on a bunt single. The Knights added their third run of the game on an RBI bunt single from Brooklyn Taylor and would tie the game at 4-4 on a fielder’s choice by Raegan Terry. The Knights would then take a 5-4 lead when Avery Bishop reached on an error.

CC would add to its lead in the bottom of the second when Kamryn Johnson drove in a run on an RBI double, making it 6-4 in favor of the Knights.

SAR scored a run in the top of the third, but that would be as close as they would get, as CC would score six runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 12-5 lead. The Raiders would score a run in the fourth and two runs in the fifth, but it would not be enough as the Knights would go on to win by the score of 14-8.

Adler Rae Owens led the Raiders’ offense by going 2 for 3 at the plate with two runs scored and a walk. Riley McRee took the loss for the Raiders, as she gave up 11 runs on 10 hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

The Raiders will try to earn their first win of the season when they host John Milledge Academy on Tuesday, August 6 at 4:30 p.m.