Excel Christian softball swept at Darlington

Excel Christian Academy was swept in an opening doubleheader of their Class A Private first round softball series at Darlington Wednesday.

Darlington won the two games, 7-3 and 12-0, to eliminate Excel in their best-of-three series.

The Tigers advance to play Tattnall Square Academy in the second round, while the Lady Eagles’ season comes to a close.

Excel scored first in the top of the third inning of the opener, before Darlington posted five runs in the bottom of the third to capture a lead they would not relinquish.

The home-standing Lady Tigers went up 7-1 in the sixth and Excel scored twice in the top of the seventh for a 7-3 final score.

Olivia Adams and Sydney Seymour combined for four hits and three RBIs to lead the Darlington offense.

In Game 2, Darlington scored seven runs in the second inning on their way to a 12-0 shutout.

Olivia Adams had four hits, two RBIs, and scored twice for the Lady Tigers in the series clinching win. Josi McKibben and Alex Gardner both added one hit and two RBIs for Darlington.

Taylor Gibson had three hits in the series for Excel and scored a run. Landry McCollum had two hits, one RBI, on stolen base, and scored a run. Rachel Parrott had two hits.

Whitney Harris (run scored), Aliza Baker (double, RBI), Brighton McCollum, and Lindsey Mauldin had one hit each. Kalli Beth Scheff contributed a sacrifice.

Kathryne Ledbetter (7 IP, 3R, 2ER, 9H, 0BB, 0K) was the complete game winning pitcher for Darlington in the opener. Gibson (6 IP, 7R, 3ER, 9H, 2BB, 1K) was the losing pitcher in the first game for Excel.

Josi McKibben tossed a two-hitter in the Game 2 shutout for Darlington. ECA’s Hannah Lee (3.1 IP, 10R, 2ER, 8H, 1BB, 2K) suffered the second game loss. Gibson (1.2 IP, 2R, 0ER, 2H, 2K) worked in relief.

The Lady Eagles’ season concludes with a 10-15 mark.