RIPPLE/Matthew Gorry
Starmount’s Allison Jones makes contact against North Wilkes Friday afternoon.
BOONVILLE - For a team that was supposed to be in rebuilding mode, the Lady Rams sure don’t play like it.
Starmount swept a double-header against North Wilkes Friday afternoon to extend its record to 10-1, including a 7-1 mark in Mountain Valley Conference action.
In Game 1, Courtney Groce picked up her seventh win of the season with a complete-game five-hitter to help the Rams claim the 4-3 victory.
Starmount got on the board first with a Rachel Wagoner fielder’s choice groundout to third to score Groce in the bottom of the first to give the Rams an early 1-0 lead.
The Vikings struck back with a three-spot in the top of the fourth inning to jump out to a 3-1 advantage.
But Starmount responded with three more runs in the bottom half of the frame to regain the lead at 4-3.
Courtney Barnes started the inning when she reached first after the catcher dropped the third strike with one out. Sam Couch followed with a line-drive single down the third baseline, putting runners on first and second.
Then Sydney Caudle laid down a sacrifice bunt. On the play, the Vikings threw the ball away, allowing Barnes and Couch to score and Caudle to scamper to third to tie game at 3-3.
Groce followed with a grounder to third. After another North error, Groce reached first, allowing Caudle to trot home.
In Game 2, Ashely Osborne shut down the Vikings, limiting them to seven hits en route to a 3-1 triumph.
Starmount and North battled to a scoreless tie throughout the first three innings until a three-run fourth frame gave the Rams a 3-0 advantage.
Caudle led off the inning with a triple down the left-field line, scoring on a Groce single to right.
A few plays later, Mackenzie Hutchens lays down a bunt and reaches first on a throwing error. On the play, Groce was able to score. During the confusion of Groce scoring, Hutchens took advantage and scampered home to give the Rams a 3-0 lead.
North tacked on one run in the bottom of the fifth, but Osborne closed the door and picked up her second win of the year.
Reach Matthew Gorry at 835-1513 or mgorry@heartlandpublications.com.
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