Rosewood-SC softball
By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on May 7, 2015 1:51 PM
Fans packed shoulder to shoulder, waiting to watch Spring Creek's softball team take on Rosewood -- a matchup that has become one of the biggest rivalries in Wayne County.
But before the fans could settle into their seats and get cozy, the Gators had already taken command. Rachel McCollum and Alanna Price hit back-to-back home runs as the Gators pounded out a 15-2, mercy-rule win in Carolina 1-A Conference play Wednesday evening.
"This is a big win for us, a lot of happy faces in that huddle right now," Spring Creek coach Lester Boltinhouse said. "Any time you beat a good team like that, in a good rivalry game it's going to be a good thing."
McCollum got things started after Ashley Marriner and Sarah Ford reached base. The Campbell University senior deposited her team- and county-leading 10th homer over the fence and ended the game with six RBI.
Price followed with a two-strike solo home run.
"I was just looking to get a hit since I had two strikes," Price said. "I didn't think it was a home run, but I realized it once I passed first base."
Rosewood's Callie Thornton got out of the inning without any further damage. But in the second she gave an RBI double by Price. Price later scored on a passed ball, and eventually finished the game just a single shy of hitting for the cycle.
"I've been working really hard, because earlier this season I hadn't been hitting the ball all that well," Price said. "But it's been getting better."
Marriner finished with three hits and two RBI in the Gators' lead-off spot. Freshman Rebecca Coor chipped in a double in the Gators' 12-hit attack.
"We haven't had this kind of game where it's been a total team effort in a while," Boltinhouse said. "All the girls in the lineup hit the ball, and we haven't had that at this level much this season."
McCollum pitched a complete game, giving up two runs (one earned), striking out four and walking one. McCollum was hurt a bit by a strike zone that forced her to leave pitches a little higher than she would like. Lucky for her, she had a large cushion for most of the game in case she made a mistake.
"It was nice to have that cushion, because I kind of had to throw pitches that were easier to hit," McCollum said. "So if I made a mistake it wasn't as big of a deal, so that was really good for me to have that cushion."
Macy Tyndall and Carrie Beckert were the only Rosewood players to get to McCollum during the game. Tyndall had two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Beckert had a double for the Eagles.