Gatewood softball has turned a competitive start into a strong early-season run.
The Gators entered Monday, Aug. 17, at 1-2 overall after dropping a pair of close games, but they left the day with a three-game winning streak and a 3-2 record.
Gatewood opened the season Aug. 13 at home against Bethlehem Christian, falling 5-4 in a tightly contested matchup.
Gracie Lowery kept the Knights off the scoreboard in the top of the first inning, and the Gators quickly gave her some run support. Gatewood plated three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take an early lead.
Bethlehem Christian answered with two runs in the second, but Gatewood responded when Skylar Huskins drove in a run in the bottom of the frame to push the advantage back to two.
That would be the final run the Gators scored. Bethlehem Christian put together a three-run inning in the top of the fifth, taking the lead and holding on for the 5-4 victory.
Despite the loss, Gatewood head coach Dena Stancil said she has been encouraged by what she has seen from her team.
“So far, we’ve played well. We lost a very close game to a good Class 4A school (Bethlehem Christian), and we split with Southland this past Saturday,” Stancil said. “Our pitchers are really pitching well, and our defense is solid.”
The Gators had a chance to bounce back two days later when Southland Academy of Americus came to town for a doubleheader on Aug. 15.
Gatewood dropped the opening game 4-2 but responded in impressive fashion in the second game, earning a 7-2 victory.
The Gators jumped out to a 5-0 lead through the first two innings and added two more runs in the fifth. Lara Pierce, Lily Arthur and Alexis Thrift each recorded multi-hit games, while Gatewood struck out just once as a team.
Arthur was also strong in the circle, working six innings and allowing two runs on four hits. Arthur struck out four without issuing a walk.
Gatewood carried that momentum into Monday's doubleheader, sweeping both games to move above .500 for the first time this season.
In the opener, the Gators and Spartans battled scoreless for the first four innings before Gatewood finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Lily Arthur doubled to right field, scoring Lara Pierce, who drove in the game's only run in a 1-0 victory.
Arthur then finished what she started in the circle, throwing a complete-game shutout. She allowed just four hits, walked none and struck out seven.
Gatewood's offense continued to produce in Game 2, although the Gators once again had to rally.
The Spartans held a 1-0 lead through the fourth inning before Gatewood erupted for six runs in the fifth. Seven different Gators recorded hits as the offense put together its biggest inning of the day.
Edmund Burke answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, but Gatewood held on to secure the victory.
Lowery turned in another strong performance on the mound, allowing four runs on six hits with no walks and one strikeout over 6.1 innings. Arthur came in to close out the game and preserve the win.
The Gators' recent run has provided plenty of encouragement for Stancil. She believes the team is still figuring out just how good it can be.
“We’re using these early games to figure out what lineup scores the most runs, and we are focusing on baserunning, which is where game-deciding mistakes have happened,” Stancil said.
With the pitching staff performing well, the defense playing solidly and the offense beginning to find its rhythm, Stancil said she likes where her team is headed.
“Overall, I’m pleased with our play so far and know we are only getting better with every game,” she said. “I’d hate to be the team that has to face us once all the kinks are worked out."
After starting the season 1-2, Gatewood has now won three straight and sits at 4-2 overall. The Gators will look to keep that momentum rolling as they continue working through the early portion of their schedule.