Panthers sweep softball opening weekend

Published 5:10 pm Monday, February 25, 2019

Jemison softball kicked off the 2019 season with back-to-back victories over Mountain Brook and John Carroll during a round robin tournament on Feb. 23.

The Panthers (2-0), as tournament host, defeated Class 7A Mountain Brook 6-0 and followed it up with a 5-1 victory against fellow 5A John Carroll.

Jemison’s potential for the upcoming season was clearly on display during the opening weekend.

Sophomore sensation Kinley Bolton started both games for JHS and allowed just one run on four hits in six innings. She struck out 17 batters compared to just one walk.

Jemison’s first big offensive inning of the season came with five runs in the top of the third inning against Mountain Brook.

Seniors Logan Woodley, Erristen Evans and Kyla Wilson each had a big game at the plate with four RBIs between them.

Woodley went a perfect 3-for-3 with a triple, while Evans went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

In the second matchup against John Carroll, the runs came early yet again with four runs in the second inning.

Bolton helped out her own cause by going 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

Sarah Hubbard stole two bases, and Chloe Eddins pitched one inning in relief to close it out.

The tournament was scheduled at the last minute and took the place of another showcase that was cancelled due to the weather.