Suffolk News-Herald

Rachel Bailor struck out seven and went the distance for her first varsity victory as Lakeland held off visiting Churchland 3-2 on Wednesday. After missing the first few weeks of the season with a knee injury, Bailor had to fight off a late charge by the Lady Truckers to secure the win.

&uot;I was excited,&uot; Bailor said. &uot;I was ready to come back after I got hurt. I’m glad to be back.&uot;

Ashley McCord doubled in the first inning, and stole her way home. With one out in the second, Kaitlin Espinosa walked, and Katelyn Smither reached on an error. McCord bunted for a single to load the bases, and Megan Hecker singled to right to bring in Espinosa.

Smither walked in the fourth, moved to third on a pair of passed balls, and scored when McCord smashed a single up the middle.

Churchland scored in the fifth, but Bailor set the Lady Truckers down in the sixth, and got the first two out in the seventh. But the third batter hit a triple, and scored on a single by the next one. Bailor buckled back down and got the fifth to ground to Rachel Evans at shortstop, who gunned a line shot to Christina Williams at first for the final out.

&uot;I just wanted to get the out,&uot; Bailor said. &uot;I wasn’t nervous; you have to have faith in your teammates!&uot;

Lakeland’s baseball and softball teams head across town to play Nansemond River Friday.