The Mustangs defeated no. 1 seeded Mt. Paran 7-5 in the opening game of the GHSA Class-A Private Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament sending the defending state champions to the loser's bracket.
Tied at five in the top of the seventh, the Mustangs scored two runs to take the lead and escaped a bases loaded jam in the bottom half to seal the victory.
Frances Hunt's infield single scored Kendall Slayden and Riley Blatt to give Mount Vernon a 7-5 win.
The Eagles led 1-0 at the end of the first inning when Malayna Tamborra doubled to score Marian Collins.
After a scoreless second and third inning, the Mustangs got the bats going starting with a Reagan Hickey home run to center field to tie the contest at 1-1.
The Mustangs then took the lead in the top of the fifth inning, scoring twice for a 3-1 advantage on a Grace Westmoreland single and a Kendall Slayden double.
Mt. Paran took the lead back, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Marian Collins singled home a run, Charlotte Smith reached on an error to plate Mallory Westbrook and Collins, and Tamborra hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Smith for a 5-3 Eagle lead.
After a scoreless sixth, the Mustangs put together a four-run seventh to take the lead for good.
Reagan Hickey hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Ruby Burnett, Slayden reached on a fielders choice to bring home Savanna Messner, and Hunt singled to score Slayden and Blatt.
Westmoreland, who picked up the win in the circle, struck out Brooke Walden with the bases loaded to end the game.
The righty pitched a complete game, allowing five runs on five hits with nine strikeouts.
With the victory, the Mustangs will play the George Walton Academy Bulldogs on Friday morning, Oct. 29, at 9 a.m. at the Columbus Softball Complex Stadium Field.
Check www.mountvernonathletics.com and @MV_Athletics on Twitter for updates on the Mustangs in the State Playoffs.
For the updated Class-A Private Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament bracket, copy and paste the following link:
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The Mount Vernon Athletic Department strives to build the student-athlete by providing a five-star experience built on community, courage, development, hospitality and professionalism. As a school of inquiry, innovation and impact grounded in Christian values, we prepare all students to be college-ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders. For more information on Mount Vernon athletics, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com and follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on the Mustangs.
