Mid-Carolina forces three-way tie at the top of region 2-AA softball standings with win over Saluda

PROSPERITY, S.C. — Mid-Carolina(7-6, 3-2 region 2-AA) forces a three-way tie at the top of the softball region 2-AA standings after they defeated Saluda(16-3, 6-2 region 2-AA) on Friday night at home. The lady Rebels completed the comeback to beat the Tigers 7-4.

The stands were packed with both Mid-Carolina and Saluda fans filling the bleachers. The Rebels painted a pink breast cancer symbol in the middle of the field and held a pregame celebration for survivors and honored the people who have passed away from the cancer. After the pregame festivities, both teams prepared to play in this Friday night region showdown.

Both starting pitchers were stellar through the first three innings of the game. Mary Grace Bryant got the start for Mid-Carolina and recorded seven strikeouts through the third inning.

The Rebels’ offense were able to get on the scoreboard first after Savannah Moore slaps a moonshot over the left field wall for a two-run home run at the bottom of the fourth inning.

The visiting Tigers were able to answer right back in the top of the fifth inning. Things got started when Saluda was able to get a base runner after the Rebels committed an error on a routine ground ball. The visitors kept things rolling with a triple RBI to get their first score of the game. They would add a few more base runners and some more hits to score a total of four runs in the fifth.

Bryant”s hot pitching start quickly cooled off after she gave up three hits in the inning and her defense made two critical errors.

The Rebels’ offense went through a cold streak, but was able to bounce back at the bottom of the sixth inning. Moore kept her hot hitting night going with a double to start off the inning. Nora Cutler followed behind her with a RBI single to bring the Rebels within one score.

Mid-Carolina tied the game on a RBI single and were able to capitalize on errors made by Saluda. The home team scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“The biggest thing is, these girls believe in themselves. They got up to plate, looked for good pitches early in the count and made things happen. I knew this team could do that going through our season. Sometimes we seen it and sometimes we hadn’t, but tonight made them believe they can do this and that’s what so special,” said Rebels’ head coach Joey Long.

Now, Mid-Carolina three-way tie at the top of the region 2-AA standings. They will face Abbeville on the road on April 22 to start the last week of their regular season. A win against them could give them sole place of first possession in the region.

“We went into the game knowing we can force a three-way tie in first. By winning, that is what we have done. I don’t know what the region constitution says but we will figure that out. Whatever happens, happens up to this point, but we have taken care of our business,” said Long.