Gaffney shuts out Lancaster

Ledger photo by LARRY HILLIARD Gaffney's Julie Sarratt rounds third on her way to score in the fifth inning against Lancaster on Thursday. The Lady Indians now will meet Wren in second-round district playoff action today. So much for Gaffney High softball coach Kelly Ellis' concern with her team's recent lack of offense.

The Lady Indians pounded out 10 hits and pitcher Julie Sarratt did the rest, allowing just one hit in a 5-0 victory over Lancaster in the opening round of the district playoffs on Thursday.

"I'm happy with the way we hit the ball," Ellis said.

The offense came from an unexpected source - Katie Patterson, who ignited the Lady Indians with a triple and double. "Katie got us going," Ellis said.

The Lady Indians advance to play at top-seeded Wren today.

Leading 1-0, the Lady Indians had chances to add to their advantage but stranded a runner in scoring position in the second and third innings. In the second inning, Patterson tripled but couldn't score. An inning later, Sarratt doubled and advanced to third but was stranded there.

The Indians finally got the key hit in the fourth when Patterson and Hillary Key stroked back-toback doubles to make it 2-0. After Key moved to third on Cameron Crocker's single, she was caught off base and was thrown out trying to score.

The Lady Bruins threatened in the top of the fifth, advancing a runner to third but Campbell made a running grab of a popup in shallow left center to end the inning.

The Lady Indians scored three times in the bottom of the fifth to put the game away. Lana Ward led off with a triple before Ashley Mabry executed a picture-perfect suicide squeeze to score her. Mabry went to second on the throw home and went to third on Sarratt's single. Megan Standridge then delivered a sharp single to score Mabry and Sarratt.

The other story of the game was Sarratt's pitching. She allowed just one hit - a single in the third inning. She also struck out seven.

"She was powerful," Ellis said. "She had all her pitches working. She kept their power hitters off base."

Sarratt also was a force at the plate with a double and pair of singles.

Ellis said today's game will be a test. Wren is ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll.

"We have to hit the ball because they have a good pitcher," Ellis said.

LADY INDIANS AT WREN

The Lady Indians battle No. 1 seed in the coaches' poll Wren today.