For the first time this season, the Landrum softball team found its back against the wall.
Abbeville traveled to Landrum on Saturday, May 7 and walked away with a 2-0 victory in the South Carolina 1A Upper State Finals.
The Cardinals played Monday night to avoid elimination. Those results were not available before press time.
“It’s huge (to win on the road),” Abbeville coach Tim Collins said. “Landrum’s such a fine ball club.”
Landrum, however, hurt itself on Saturday.
Abbeville’s Lisa Sanders reached base in the fifth inning on an error and later scored on another error after being moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sara Zimmerman.
In the seventh inning, Panthers’ leadoff hitter, Nikki Fields, reached on an error and scored on a double by Abby Best.
Offensively, Landrum had its chances. In the first inning, Landrum pitcher Jordan Farmer walked and moved to third on a Lauren Pitts double. Abbeville pitcher Gennifer Durham got Bre Cuff to pop up to shortstop and struck out Shelby Morris to end the inning.
In the second inning, Skylar Henderson singled and Morgan Smith walked. Durham struck out Sydnie Brown and Taylor Jenkins to end the inning. In the third inning, Pitts singled and Cuff doubled, however, Pitts was thrown out at third. Morris hit a stinger back towards Durham for the third out. Durham settled in for the rest of the game and kept the Cardinal offense off balance. Durham struck out 11 batters.
Farmer had a strong day on the mound. The junior allowed just two hits and fanned six.
Landrum coach Tucker Hamrick’s message to his team after the game was simple.
“I told them we have to stay focused at the plate and keep our heads high,” he said. “I told them it’s not impossible (to come back). They need to make the decision to have confidence and come back.”
As for Saturday’s performance?
“We’re a better team than how we played today,” Hamrick said.