By PATRICK CASEY
The South Walton softball team defeated Port St. Joe 6-1 last week to earn a sweep of the regular season series as freshman Alyssa Selvey recorded another complete game victory.
Selvey allowed only six hits in seven innings of work as she struck out nine while walking just two.
The Sharks had an opportunity to score in the second inning but Selvey ended the threat by striking out the last two batters she faced.
The Seahawks scored all six of their runs in the bottom of the second inning as Rebecca Hubbard and Ashlyn Sachenbacher each hit doubles to drive in the first run of the game. One out later, Alexia Parker reached on an error that scored Sachenbacher with Tessa Hendrix drawing a walk. Selvey struck out but Lia Thompson singled to load the bases. Maci Roundtree walked to force in a run with Tabitha Gaydos drilling a single to plate two more teammates before the Sharks could get the final out to end a productive frame for the host squad.
The Sharks lone run came in the top of the fourth inning as catcher Brooke Quinn doubled with HalLeigh Keels providing a single for the visiting team’s only run of the game.
The Sharks had an opportunity to get back in the contest in the sixth inning as Shannon Pridgeon walked with one out and moved to third on Quinn’s second double of the game. Selvey struck out Halie Jasinski for the second out, then walked Keels to load the bases before setting down Savannah Miles on three pitches to leave the bases loaded.
The Seahawks had seven hits of their own with Gaydos, Hubbard and Sachenbacher each providing two.
The Sharks were hurt by three errors in the field as pitcher Georgia Lee walked four batters while recording five strikeouts.
South Walton improved to 11-4 overall on Monday night as they won at Bonifay with an 11-10 decision against Holmes County. The Seahawks led 5-4 after four innings of play and pushed the lead to 11-4 before the Bluedevils scored six runs in their last at-bat, closing the gap to 11-10 before South Walton was able to get the final out to hold on for the win.
Gaydos went 2-for-3 with a home run with Selvey adding three hits of her own. Hubbard drove in a pair of runs as South Walton earned a sweep of the regular season series.
Selvey got the win as she pitched all seven innings, striking out seven. The two teams combined for 31 hits in the contest.
Team Notes: South Walton will play their final three district games of the regular season this week and can lock up the top seed in the District 4 tournament if they sweep both games of a doubleheader at Liberty County on Thursday. The Seahawks are 5-0 in district play so far this season. Ashlyn Sachenbacher has accepted a scholarship offer to play softball at Enterprise College in Alabama. South Walton will host the District 4, Class A tournament that begins the week of April 13.
