By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP
Advance Managing Editor
The Northview High School Lady Chiefs are off to a solid start in softball as they have rolled to a 4-1 record including a no-hitter thrown by Stephanie Hayes last week against Jay.
NHS 7, Crestview 6
The Lady Chiefs' first game of the season turned into a long one as it took extra innings for NHS to break a 7-7 tie with Crestview High School.
Hayes, who has been phenomenal on the mound thus far in the season, showed off her skills at the plate as she drove in the game-winning run with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning. She wrapped up the victory by striking out the side in the bottom of the inning.
Hayes only allowed one hit in the game and struck out 20 batters – including the first 13 batters she faced.
NHS 25, Flomaton 1
Northview took advantage of Flomaton's inexperience in fast-pitch softball to earn a lop-sided victory against the Tornados, 25-1.
Almost every Lady Chief earned a hit in the game. Amanda Bolling led the Northview lineup with four hits and six RBI. Elizabeth Wiggins also had a strong performance with three hits and three RBI and Kay Spence finished the game with three hits.
Hayes pitched the first three innings of the contest and was relieved by Ashley Fuller for the final two innings.
Baldwin County 4, NHS 0
The Lady Chiefs' bats went silent as they fell to Baldwin County High School, 4-0.
While Northview couldn't get anything going offensively, they also had a hard time in the field as errors paved the way for several Baldwin County scores.
Hayes' record fell to 2-1 on the season although she pitched well. She surrendered only three hits and struck out 15 batters. Four of her strikeouts came in the first inning after a passed ball set up a four-out inning.
NHS 11, Flomaton 0
Flomaton had better luck defensively in their second matchup with Northview. But, they still had trouble putting the ball in play as Hayes threw her second one-hitter of the game.
NHS 10, Jay 0
With two one-hitters through the first four games, Hayes finally reached the pinnacle as she held Jay hitless, allowing the Chiefs to take a 10-0 victory.
Leading the way at the plate was Christy McAnally who finished with three hits and four RBI.
Northview JV Softball
The Northview Junior Varsity softball team are also off to a great start as they have jumped out to a 6-0 record.
The JV Lady Chiefs edged Crestview 8-7 in the first game of the season; have defeated Flomaton twice, 25-1 and 13-2; took a doubleheader against Escambia County High School – Pensacola, 6-3 and 11-0 and cruised to a 13-1 victory against Jay.
The NHS Lady Chiefs will host Escambia Academy on Thursday and Crestview on Friday.