The Columbus North baseball team helps prepare the softball field for play following Thursday afternoon’s rain.
Submitted photo
Payton Morris saved her best pitching performance in the final home game of the season for Columbus North.
Morris had a no-hitter going until it was broken up in the sixth inning. The bats gave plenty of run support for Morris in an 8-1 softball victory over Jennings County on the Bull Dogs’ senior night.
“It’s good to come off of because I feel like our defense was solid, and it helps me stay positive and stay up when my defense has my back, and they did tonight,” Morris said.
North (13-10) didn’t take long to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. Morgan Jarvis slapped a shallow single. After stealing second, she advanced to third on a Summer Williams grounder and scored on a sacrifice bunt from Morris to lead 1-0.
The Bull Dogs didn’t extend the lead until breaking open the game in the fourth. Morris led off the inning by blasting a solo home run to center field. Bailee Scruggs, Miley McClellan and Avery Shehan all added hits in the inning to increase the lead to 4-0.
North collected five more hits and four more runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by a two-out two-run homer from senior Lily Retz.
“Our offense, I feel like we came out a little strong, and with it being senior night, we really wanted to get it for the seniors and give them one last good home game,” Morris said.
Morris had the no-hitter broken up in the sixth inning when Maycie Ward singled to left-center. The Panthers (13-11) scored their lone run in the top of the seventh inning when Riley Byford blasted a homer to end the shutout.
“Payton hasn’t thrown a whole lot of innings, and we let her know over these couple weeks that we really need some innings out of you. She stepped up and did great tonight,” North coach TJ Jarvis said. “I feel like we came in the first inning, put up a run, and kind of carried that momentum from (Wednesday) night into tonight. I’m super proud of the girls in the box tonight.”
Morgan Jarvis finished 3 for 3 for the Bull Dogs. Scruggs went 2 for 3, and Morris and Retz each were 1 for 3 with a home run. Morris pitched a complete game and allowed three hits with 12 strikeouts.
Byford finished 1 for 4 with a home run to lead Jennings. Arian Day started in the circle for the Panthers and lasted four innings. Audrey McDonald pitched the final two innings in relief.
