After opening the season with three consecutive losses, the Putnam County softball team finally found its footing with a convincing victory over Class 4A McDonough.
The War Eagles jumped on the Warhawks early and never looked back, rolling to a 20-8 run-rule victory on Aug. 17 for their first win of the season.
Putnam scored five runs in the top of the first inning, with Madilyn Crawford and Kaitlyn Witcher delivering RBI hits to help the War Eagles quickly take control.
McDonough answered with a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning, but Putnam's offense continued to produce. The War Eagles added six runs in the second inning to extend their advantage to 11-1.
Saige Harris settled in during the bottom of the second, working a scoreless frame before Putnam's offense exploded again in the third. The War Eagles sent eight runs across the plate to build a 19-1 advantage.
McDonough responded with five runs in the bottom of the third and added two more in the fourth, but the Warhawks had already dug themselves too deep of a hole. Putnam added one run in the fourth, reaching the run-rule margin and securing its first victory of the season.
“I’m incredibly proud of our Putnam softball team for coming away with a 20-8 victory over McDonough,” Putnam County head coach Gabriel Dyar said. “The girls showed great energy, focus, and teamwork from start to finish. It was a complete team effort, and I’m proud of the way they competed and supported one another.”
Witcher led the War Eagles offensively, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI. Crawford finished with two hits, scored twice and drove in a team-high three runs.
Abigail Roberts, Kennady Davis and Michelle Hernandez also recorded multi-hit performances for Putnam.
Following the victory, the War Eagles returned home Saturday, Aug. 22, for a doubleheader against Tallulah Falls. Putnam dropped both games but battled throughout.
Now, the War Eagles face a busy week with three games on the schedule, including the start of region play. Putnam will open the region competition against Social Circle in a home-and-away matchup before closing out the week at home against McDonough.
With the first win of the season under its belt, Dyar said the team will continue to build as the season progresses.
“We’re just going to keep building,” Dyar said.