With a late offensive push and another big night of strikeouts from Hannah Hearl, Orange County softball managed to knock off Madison County 4-1 on the road in an out-of-district rivalry clash.
Raniya Bright delivered the game-winning run in the top of the sixth, singling to right to plate Ayla Fincham. The Hornets tacked on a couple of insurance runs in the seventh with an inside-the-park home run from Megan Fincham and an RBI single from Reese Rogers pushing the lead to 4-1. Megan Fincham went 2-for-2 at the plate, Rogers and Ja’chelle Mosley went 2-for-4 while Bright went 2-for-3 on the night. Rogers scored the Hornets’ first run in the first inning on a wild pitch.
Hearl made sure that late surge held up by surrendering just a single run in the fifth while striking out 14 and scattering five hits.
Madison’s Mackenzie Aylor tied the game up with a double to left field in the bottom of the fifth. Breanna McPeak also had a double for the Mountaineers and Aliyah Aylor went 2-for-3 at the plate.
The Hornets turnaround quickly Tuesday for senior night at home against Western Albemarle while Madison hosts Skyline Wednesday night.
