By Katie McElvy
Chambers Softball 15, Calvary Christian 9
The Chambers Academy Lady Rebels opened at home hosting Calvary Christian out of Columbus, GA. Newcomer Brynlee Alford, got her first start on the mound for the Lady Rebels, striking out two in the top of the first but not before the Lady Knights could record two runs. The Lady Rebels quickly found an answer in their next at bat. After a Sophie Price single, Makayla Foster was hit by a pitch. With two runners on, McKenzie Gilliland tripled on a fly ball to center field to tie up the game. Gilliland was then able to steal home on a passed ball to give Chambers the lead.
The next action came in the top of the fourth. With one runner on and one out, Calvary hit a triple to send in a runner, and the very next batter hit in the go ahead run. Alford struck out the next batter to end their scoring run.
Carly Forbus tied it up in the bottom of the fourth for the Lady Rebels by scoring on a Knight error. The Lady Rebels held the Knights scoreless in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth with two outs, the Rebels rallied. Gilliland singled, then stole second, and finally advanced to third on an error. Olivia Daughtry was walked, and Raylee Patterson was hit by a pitch loading up the bases. Tyane Anthony then hit a two-run single, putting Chambers up 6-4. Gabby Lamb was then walked, once again loading up the bases. Forbus took advantage of the opportunity, tripling on a hard ground ball to left field and extending the Rebel lead 9-4.
Calvary put up a fight in the top of the sixth scoring four runs of their own to make the score 9-8, but the Lady Rebel defense held. In the bottom of the sixth with one out, Foster hit a home run over the right field wall. After being walked, Gilliland was able to steal home on an error. Calvary then got themselves in a pitching pinch walking four Rebel batters in a row. Price followed by sending in two runners on a line drive to center field, and Forbus rounded out the Rebel scoring, stealing home on a passed ball.
Calvary did add one more run in the top of the seventh, but the Lady Rebel fielding ended it there, earning the win in their first game of the season.
Chambers Baseball 12, Southern Prep 0
The Chambers Rebels opened their season at home with a double header against Southern Prep. Braxton Yerta took the mound in the first game and struck out the first three batters to open. At bat, the Rebels looked solid. Leadoff hitter, Kyle Hand, was walked. Yerta then hit a triple on a fly ball to center field sending in Hand. AJ Barnes doubled sending in Yerta. With bases loaded, Grant Jones grounded out but allowed Barnes to score. Grey Hayley singled on a pop fly, knocking in Buster Coker. Evan Arwood bunted down the first baseline permitting Luke Tarver to score the final run of the inning, putting the Rebels up 5-0.
Yerta took to the mound again. Although he allowed one walk, he again recorded three strikeouts in the second inning. Back at bat, Barnes sent in two more runs for Chambers on a triple. With two runners on, Jones grounded out but hit in another run. Hayley knocked in the final run of the inning on a fly ball to center field extending the Rebel lead 9-0.
After three walks in the top of the third, catcher Luke Tarver was able to catch two runners trying to steal to end the inning and hold Southern Prep scoreless. In the bottom of the third, Yerta hit a triple. Barnes then hit him in to extend the lead 10-0. Coker doubled, and Tarver hit a sacrifice fly ending the game on a run rule.
In the second game, Chambers scored 15 runs in just the first two innings to once again run rule Southern Prep 15-0. Hayden Hendrix struck out four of the seven batters he faced. Chambers also faced Ezekiel Academy later in the week beating them 12-0. Grant Jones got the win on the mound for the Rebels striking out five batters in three innings.