Rockdale Citizen

COVINGTON -- Newton's softball team was unable to come back after giving up four runs to Social Circle in the top of the seventh inning in its 9-5 loss on Wednesday at Turner Lake Park.

The Lady Rams (0-7) found themselves trailing the entire game but somehow they were able to fight back to tie the game.

Social Circle (6-5-1) took an early 2-0 in the top of the first inning before Newton came back in the bottom of the second to tie the game. Ciara Bryan scored the first run for the Lady Rams in the bottom of the first inning before Ashton McKinnon tied the game in the second.

The Lady Redskins crossed the plate three more times in the third inning to retake the lead 5-2. But once again the Newton girls refused to quit as T'Keyuh Williams scored in the fourth on a Bryan double before Letice Albert and Marie Diaz score in the fifth to tie the game.

"I told the girls that even though it was a loss, that was the hardest I've seen them play," Lady Rams head coach Virginia Waters said. "It was the best defense I've seen them play, the best hitting and bunting and moving girls around I've seen. I told them to hold their heads high."

Social Circle had a couple of chances to take a commanding lead as it loaded the bases with no outs in the second and fifth innings. However, Newton's defense was able to rise to the challenge, keeping the game close.

"Prior to (Wednesday's) game, bases loaded and no outs would have cost us lots of runs. We had it twice and we were able to hold them," Waters said. "That just says what they're capable of if they can take that with them to every game.

"I had awesome catches from Ciara, a freshman, and my freshman catcher (Shan Walker), doing the best they can. I can't say enough about the girls deciding to step up and be better ball players."

It looked like the Lady Rams were on their way to their first win, but several errors allowed Social Circle to score four times for the victory.

"I can't say enough about Caitlin (Bowen) being a freshman and throwing a complete game; keeping us in the ball game like she did," Waters said.

Pacing the Lady Rams at the plate with two hits each were Albert, Bryan and McKinnon with Williams getting one hit.