By PATRICK CASEY
The Walton Braves softball team got home runs from Chelsea Hurley and Treasa Herndon in the top of the first inning to build a 3-0 lead that the team would not relinquish on the way to a 7-4 win in Ponce de Leon.
Walton’s Camille Cosson pitched a complete game in picking up the win while also providing the Braves with three hits in the contest as the Braves improved to 3-3 on the year with the victory. After Cosson doubled in the first inning, Hurley smacked a two-run shot to right field for a 2-0 lead. Hurley followed with an identical blast to push the lead to 3-0.
PDL loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning but plated only one run on an RBI groundout by Hillary Harper to cut the lead to 3-1.
Walton added another run in the top of the third inning as Cosson led off with a double and eventually scored to up the advantage to 4-1.
The Pirates got right back into the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning as Jaicee Mayo doubled followed by a pair of singles by Ashley and Hillary Harper to cut the lead to 4-3.
Walton made the lead 5-3 with a run in the top of the fifth inning as Herndon was hit by a pitch and eventually came around to score with the help of an error and a single by Kristian Ealum. The Braves scored twice in the sixth inning with two outs as Cosson’s single was followed by doubles by Herndon and Hurley to increase the lead to 7-3. The Pirates plated a run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Holly Parsons tripled in Desiree Rushing for the final margin of 7-4.
Marissa Powell took the loss for the Pirates as she pitched a complete game for the home team. Walton was able to pound out 12 hits in the contest while the Pirates had 10. Cosson struck out six batters while allowing only one walk with Powell striking out five Walton batters and walking only two.
Team Notes: PDL earned their first win with a 10-3 victory at Laurel Hill on Friday night. Walton has a light week ahead with a March 8 game hosting Panama City Arnold before traveling to Pensacola Catholic for a March 15 contest.