The Alba-Golden Lady Panthers traveled to Van Zandt County last Wednesday and on the strength of a masterful pitching performance by Adielyn Smith, shut out the Fruitvale Lady Bobcats, 7-0. In addition to maintaining excellent velocity when called for, Smith tapped the whole strike zone, keeping Fruitvale hitters off-balance all game. 

Smith tossed a one-hitter, recording 12 strike-outs and giving up three free passes.

She was matched against Fruitvale’s left-handed fireballer, Kyla Bain. For the first three innings, it was a pitching duel. Each hurler faced 11 batsmen in the first three innings.

The Lady Panthers took advantage of two fielding errors and a passed ball to take a 3-0 lead in the fourth. The Lady Bobcats were plagued uncharacteristically by fielding errors throughout the game. 

Alba-Golden added three runs in the fourth. Kali Trimble reached on a throwing error. She was joined on the base paths by Kendra Jones, who was on after a fielder’s choice. Joecey Lewers stepped up and drilled a base hit through the left side scoring Trimble and Jones. 

Lewers crossed the plate shortly thereafter when a throw to third base was mishandled and she scampered home. 

With Smith continuing to frustrate the Lady Bobcats at the plate, Alba-Golden continued to play their aggressive brand of softball. 

In the sixth, Alexis Wilmut led off with a beautiful single to left field. She scored from third on an exceptionally well-placed bunt by Alyssa Murdock.    

Early district 17-2A standings are very encouraging to Lady Panther fans. Alba-Golden stands at 2-0, having secured wins over two of the three other top-tier teams (Fruitvale and Detroit). After hosting Como-Pickton, Tuesday, the Lady Panthers will be looking forward to the challenge of a visiting Rivercrest squad on Tuesday, March 26.