KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - Four doubles by the Middleburg High batting lineup spelled bad news for the Keystone Heights softball team as the Broncos won a 7-1 county matchup to earn their sixth straight win after a three loss skid ended February, albeit, those three losses to state champion Trenton, state runnerup Branford and 6A region finalist East Lake High before starting their streak with an 11-0 win over 3A region finalist Episcopal.
"Our outfield was under water yesterday and we had to move our home game against Trenton," said Middleburg coach Ashley Houston. "We always invite the best teams to play us. Keystone Heights is always a playoff contender."
Against Keystone Heights, Middleburg's bats exploded early with Kerra Clarida doubling KK Hagan to third and Emma Ward singling in two runs from there. Isabel Pifer singled and moved on a Mallory Ficklin sacrifice bunt, but Keystone Heights pitcher Kadence Massey whiffed Cloey Ballinger and popped out Caylee Johnson to stop the quick strike.
Massey and Ballinger on the mounds traded blows in the ensuing innings to keep the score 2-0 even with Middleburg getting a double from Bayleigh Girgis in the fourth but Massey strikeout out two more batters.
Keystone Heights got their run in the fourth with Amberlea Wagner singling, Audrey Cisco sacrifice bunting and Kaleigh Marquart hitting a line drive to left fielder Mallory Ficklin that got away and scored Wagner.
The top of the Middleburg batting lineup charged to the front with Clarida singling, Ward doubling and Pifer blasting a fly ball to left field for a Clarida run with two more hits pushing the Bronco baserunners around the horn to a 5-1 lead.
In the sixth, a second double from Girgis, a Mika Wesley single and a Hagan fly ball scored the game 6-1 before relief pitcher Lily Bennett got three whiffs for Middleburg in the bottom of the sixth.
Girgis struck again with an RBI single in the seventh to finish the Middleburg scoring.
Middleburg, now 8-3, has Yulee (3-1-1), Creekside (7-1), Baker County (7-1-1) and Fletcher (3-3) up next.
Keystone Heights, 4-4, has Ponte Vedra (7-1), Fort White (7-3) and Columbia (9-3) to finish March.
Note: Fleming Island was tied 8-8 with Columbia in the seventh in their game on Wednesday, March 12. Fleming Island up 11-8 top of eighth against Creekside. Creekside three run homer in sixth put score at 8-7 Fleming Island. Double from Ashley Madine scores Wilson to 10-8 Fleming Island in eighth. Single to Victoria Vasquez scores Madine to 11-8. Walk, then two strikeouts for Fleming Island pitcher Brooke Wilson in eighth. Walked three, fourth walk, now 11-9. New pitcher Fleming Island, Arianna C..Wild pitch 11-10. Creekside single, two runs score, up 12-11.