Flying Fleet softball continued in the Red, White, and Blue Classic in Columbus, GA, with two games on Saturday afternoon. The Fleet faced off against West Alabama and then Columbus State, dropping both games. West Alabama took the first game 2-0 and Columbus State took the second 10-1.
vs. West Alabama: The first run of the game came in the top of the third inning, where a Fleet error would help bring in a West Alabama run and give them a 1-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, with two outs already on the board,
Parker Birch stepped to the plate and hit a single to center field for the Fleet's first hit of the game. Unfortunately, a fly out to left field would end the inning before Birch could be brought home. In the bottom of the fourth,
Faith Belue earned a double down the left field line, but West Alabama would once again close out the inning before the Fleet could bring in their runner. In the top of the sixth, West Alabama would add one more run, extending their lead to 2-0. The Fleet mounted one more effort in the bottom of the sixth where
Parker Birch and
Shi Cain would each hit a single to right center, and Birch advancing to a scoring position. An Erskine bunt would help West Alabama pick Birch off at home plate, ending the inning before the Fleet could post a run.
vs. Columbus State: The Fleet started stronger in their second game, earning two hits in the top of the first inning. A single up the middle from Neely and a single to left field from
Shi Cain would get the Fleet on base, but both runners would get picked off at third base and Columbus State would close out the inning before Erskine could get on the board. Columbus State managed to earn runs in every inning, taking an early 5-0 lead after the first. The top of the fifth saw some life for the Fleet, as pinch hitters came in and put some hits on the board as well as the Fleet's sole run of the game.
Marah Branham started off with a single down the left field line, followed by a double from
Sydney McInnis down the right field line. McInnis' double advanced Branham to scoring position, and a single to right field from
Katie Hunter would bring her home. The late effort was not enough to overcome Columbus State's lead and they would take the game 10-1.
The Fleet will remain in out-of-conference play as they travel to Newberry, SC, on March 10 to compete in a double header against Newberry College.
