Suffolk News-Herald

Robert Hedrick hurt visiting Oscar Smith (OS) from both sides of the plate on Thursday afternoon, accounting for two of Lakeland’s runs in a 3-1 victory and shutting down the Tiger offense with six strikeouts (two in the last inning) and four perfect innings.

Daniel Cross led off the first inning by taking a pitch in the side. He stole second, and Hedrick bounced a ground-rule double over the left-centerfield fence. Chase Nelson singled home Hedrick, stole second, and moved to third on a passed ball. Bryan Ashburn popped a sacrifice fly to deep left, and Nelson came in for all the runs the squad would need.

The softball team wasn’t as lucky, letting a three-run lead slip away in a 9-8 loss to the Lady Tigers. OS jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, but Lindsay Kelly, Whitney James, Katelyn Smither, Eric Rimasse and Tanya Chirico scored for the Lady Cavaliers in the second. OS cut the lead to 5-4 in the third, but Rimasse scored again for Lakeland in the fourth.

Unfortunately, the Lady Tigers scored two runs in the sixth to tie the game, and three more in the seventh to win it. Chirico and Nicole Debien knocked the lead down to one, but the Lady Cavaliers couldn’t get all the way back. Both teams will host Western Branch on Tuesday.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy swept visiting Hampton Roads Academy Thursday, as Todd Harrell pitched five innings and Bryan Breedlove got three hits in a 7-0 shutout.

Mary Speight hit a home run and Brittany Wilkins had three hits and scored twice as the softball team won, 6-2. Jessica Little struck out seven in the win. Both teams head to Peninsula Catholic on Tuesday.