It was quite a week for the ECI Lady Dawgs.
ECI put together one of its most impressive stretches of the season, sweeping all four games played this week and improving its season record to 9-4. The Lady Dawgs dominated from the pitcher’s circle to the batter’s box, outscoring Screven County, McIntosh County and Portal by a combined 48-1.
Three of the four victories were shutouts, with the lone run surrendered coming in the seventh inning of Monday’s 6-1 victory over Screven County.
The week began Monday, August 31, when the Lady Dawgs welcomed Screven County to town. The Gamecocks and ECI battled for the region championship last season, but Screven County has moved back to Class AA this season.
Despite being out-hit 6-4, ECI made the most of its opportunities. The Lady Dawgs’ four hits came at key moments, while Screven County struggled to put its hits together in the same inning.
ECI struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. MK Durden drew a leadoff walk and eventually crossed the plate when the Gamecocks committed their second error of the inning, giving the Lady Dawgs a 1-0 lead.
The Bulldogs added four runs in the bottom of the third to take control of the game. Durden and Charley Mitchell opened the inning with singles before Senaria Hillman delivered a double, helping push the ECI advantage to 5-0.
The Lady Dawgs added an insurance run in the sixth inning and appeared headed for a shutout before Screven County mounted a late rally. Two doubles in the top of the seventh produced the Gamecocks’ only run of the afternoon, as ECI held on for the 6-1 victory.
Durden, Mitchell, Hillman, Colbie Radford and Bristol Dorsey provided ECI’s offensive production. Durden also turned in a strong performance in the circle, going the distance while scattering six hits and striking out eight.
Tuesday was a road-trip doubleheader, with the Lady Dawgs making the long trip to Darien to take on McIntosh County.
The long bus ride apparently did little to slow down the ECI offense.
The Lady Dawgs exploded in the first game, shutting out the Buccaneers 14-0. They came right back in the second game and posted another shutout, this time cruising to a 16-0 victory. Stats and line score are not available.
With two shutouts added to the week’s win column, ECI headed into Thursday’s game at Portal looking to complete the sweep.
The Lady Dawgs saved one of their biggest offensive performances of the week for the Panthers.
ECI pounded out 18 hits and collected eight extra-base hits, including seven doubles and a home run. The offensive barrage produced 12 runs in just five innings as the Lady Dawgs defeated Portal 12-0.
Durden once again led the way offensively, collecting two doubles and a home run while driving in four runs.
Mitchell, who started in the circle, also contributed at the plate with three hits, including a double. Ansley Frye added two hits, one of which was a double, while Hadleigh Henry and Bristol Dorsey each collected two hits and a double.
Colbie Radford and Jamyia Mack added two hits apiece, while Ajiah chipped in with a hit as ECI's offense kept the Portal defense under pressure throughout the game.
Mitchell was just as effective in the circle. She pitched all five innings, allowing only one second-inning single while striking out four Panthers.
By the time the final out was recorded in Portal, the Lady Dawgs had completed a perfect 4-0 week.
ECI’s pitching staff surrendered just one run over four games, while the offense produced 48 runs. The combination of timely hitting, extra-base power and strong pitching made for a week the Lady Dawgs will certainly remember.
With their record now standing at 9-4, ECI will look to carry the momentum from its impressive four-game sweep into the next week of the season.
