CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Continuing a strong run that started in the warmth of the Gulf Shores, Alabama, the Cleveland High softball squad kept the hot streak alive on a cold, windy day at Brenda Lawson Field Monday.
The Lady Raiders improved to 7-3 on the young season with a 13-2 five-inning victory over 2023 Final Four participant Girls Preparatory School.
Cleveland will open District 5-4A play Tuesday in Athens, facing McMinn County (3-1) at 5:30 p.m.
The Lady Raiders will journey to East Hamilton Thursday before playing in the Wildcat Classic at Warner Park in Chattanooga Friday and Saturday.
GPS will host Knox Webb Tuesday evening at 5, as well as Boyd Buchanan Thursday before also participating in the Wildcat Classic.
Cleveland got the scoring started early Monday, putting a trio of runs on the scoreboard in its first at bat.
The hosts added a solo score in the bottom of the second and then exploded for a 7-spot in the third to push the difference to double digits.
Two more Lady Raiders circled the bases in the fourth frame before GPS finally got the goose egg off the top of the scoreboard in the fifth, with a pair of unearned runs.
Roane State signee Ashley Allen provided power both in the circle and at the plate for the victors. The senior hurler (4-0, 1.46 ERA) tossed a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts and just two walks, without giving up and earned run.
After getting "plunked" in her first at bat, Allen (.273 BA, .346 OBP) went 2-for-2, blasting her second home run of the season and driving in a pair of runs.
Junior Allison Farnsworth (.571, .625) also went deep for the second time, plus had another hit to help her drive in three scores.
Senior Alexis Folts (.333, .407) went 2-for-3, plus drew a free passes, and plated a trio of teammates, to push her season ribbie tally to 10.
Sophomore Landri Nelson (400, .483) scored four times after lacing a double and drawing a trio of bases on balls.
Furman signee Lily O'Bryan (.480, .500) helped out with a RBI-hit and completed the circuit herself.
Junior Ja'Maya Hill, freshman Emily Patterson and senior Reagan Campbell each drew free passes and came around to score. Hill, who "took one for the team" to plate a teammate, swiped a pair of bases, while Patterson and Nelson also stole a base.
Junior Sylvia Hicks had a single and scored for GPS, while senior Emma Leinberger had the other Lady Bruiser hit. Eighth-grader Calieah Reyes drew the only two walks Allen issued and completed the circuit once.
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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-
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R
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H
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E
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GPS
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0
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0
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0
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0
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2
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X
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X
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2
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3
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CLEVELAND
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1
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7
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2
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X
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X
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X
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13
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9
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2
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Leinberger, Smith (3) and Long; Allen and Mason.
WP: Allen LP: Leinberger
(Email Joe canon at jo.cannon@clevelandbanner.com)