The bats of the Three Rivers softball proved to be potent and explosive in their matchup against Jackson State Community College at home on Monday afternoon. Over two games, the Lady Raiders scored 22 runs to JSCC's one, displaying dominant pitching in the process as well.

The Lady Raiders (10-4) won the first game 14-1 and the second game 8-0.

Three Rivers head coach Jeffrey Null was ecstatic with his team's showing on Monday afternoon, highlighting his team's strong pitching and power hitting.

"The first couple of innings, we had to get used to their speed, and once we got the timing down, I think everything started clicking then," Null said with a smile. "We put up that eleven spot in the first game, and things were kind of over after that."

In the first contest of the afternoon, both offensive attacks hit a lull in the first couple of innings, but the bats of the Lady Raiders quickly woke up in the third inning, as they scored three runs in the frame. JSCC tacked on a run in the top of the fourth to trim the deficit down to two, but Three Rivers promptly responded in the bottom of the fourth inning by scoring 11 runs in the frame. This included several extra base hits that contributed to the avalanche, propelling the home team to a 14-1 lead that held up after the game concluded in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule.

Three Rivers featured several hitters who put up big numbers, from Jayce Jarvis and Kylie Walker each accruing three hits to Ralyn Kelley, Trinity Everette, and Ava Brock each tallying two apiece. The quintet combined for 10 RBIs in the first game.

In addition to the strong offensive output, freshman pitcher Addison Cooper shut down the JSCC offense, surrendering just one run in four strong innings.

In the second contest, Three Rivers jumped on JSCC early, scoring three runs in the first to secure a lead that they never relinquished. Both offenses were quiet for the next few innings, until the Raiders broke open the game yet again in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring three more runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth innings, concluding the contest with an 8-0 victory.

Freshman hurler Adelle Uhlmeyer tossed five shutout innings, while first baseman Madison Woolridge was the star at the plate for the Lady Raiders, totaling three hits in the second contest.

"The weather was good today, and it was nice to get out here and get a couple of wins," Null said. "Our pitching was outstanding today as well. We have found the right combination, something we struggled with early in the season."

Liaudwin Seaberry Jr. - Daily American Republic