Cass softball edged in season opener

Cass softball took an early lead Monday night on the road and led again late, but host Villa Rica won an 11-9 back-and-forth battle in the Lady Colonels’ season-opener.

Cass scored three times in the top of the first inning and led 4-3 after three frames before the Lady Wildcats grabbed a 5-4 lead in the fourth.

The Lady Colonels went back ahead 8-5 with a four-run fifth inning, but Villa Rica answered with six runs over the next two innings to take an 11-8 advantage.

Cass scored a run in the top of the seventh and had the potential tying runs on base, but came up short in the final frame.

Marley Couch, Madi Langford, and Hailey Hyatt combined for six of Villa Rica’s nine hits. The trio also totaled four RBI.

Cass utilized four pitchers in the region opener with Macenzie Dougharty (1.1 IP, 3R, 2ER, 3H) suffering the loss in relief. Kylee Hembree (2.1 IP, 3R, 2ER, 2H, 3BB) started in the circle for the Lady Colonels. Haley Owens (1 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 1K) and Saydee Najarro (1.1 IP, 3R, 0ER, 3H, 3BB) worked middle relief.

Eryn Lee paced Cass at the plate with a 4-for-5 performance that included a triple, three stolen bases, and three RBI. Rachel Lee contributed a double and two RBI. Haley Smith added a double and one RBI. Kelly Young (RBI), Hailie Owens, and Maggie Collum had the other Cass base hits. Collum also swiped two bases.

Villa Rica improved to 2-1 with their victory.

Cass (0-1) hosts Rome Tuesday and Kell Thursday. Both Region 7-AAAAA games are 5:55 p.m. starts.