Softball Claims Region X Tourney Crown

SUMTER, SC - The Louisburg Hurricanes repeated as Region X Tournament Champions on Sunday with a 6-3 win over Spartanburg Methodist College. The victory moves the team to 29-8 on the season and 12-2 in conference play.

Mary Anna Clement earned the win for the Hurricanes on the mound, going four innings, striking out one, and not allowing an earned run.

In the bottom of the first, Clement also scored the first run of the game after reaching base on an error. She moved to second on a single by Olivia Garman, then advanced to third on a fielder's choice. A sac fly from Sara Siwinski scored Clement to give the 'Canes the 1-0 lead. The Pioneers (28-22)  tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the second. They would go scoreless the next three innings.

Louisburg scored two in the bottom of the third, with the second run coming off a solo home run from Clement, her first of the year. Later in the inning, Allison Mitchell crossed the plate when K'Lea Parks singled. The Hurricanes added two more in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Pioneers closed the gap in the top of the sixth when they scored two runs off reliever Savannah Jackson.

An additional run from the Hurricanes came in the bottom of the sixth and Jackson closed out Spartanburg Methodist in the top of the seventh to seal the victory.  

Clement was the main engine for the Hurricanes offense, going 3-for-4 and driving in two runs while batting in the #2 spot in the Louisburg order. The freshman singled twice and homered.

Garman, hitting third, ensured that Clement saw hittable pitches as the freshman from New Castle, Virginia went 2-for-3 and drove in a run for Louisburg. Garman is the team's leading hitter and held a .490 average at the plate through 32 games.

At the top of the order, Monica Pepe went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Both of Pepe's hits were doubles, and she also scored a run.

The Hurricanes placed four players on the all-tournament team, including Siwinski, Garman, Kaitlyn Tharrington, and Clement.

For her efforts on the mound and at the plate, Clement also earned tournament MVP honors.

Next Up: The Hurricanes travel to Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City, AL for the District I Championship.  The teams will play a three game series for the right to go to St. George, Utah for the NJCAA Division I National Championships.

Pictured: Region X Championship Plaque Celebration