BY BOO NEWSOME
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The Angels claimed the Martin County Cal Ripken League softball championship by defeating the T-Birds 11-1.

The Angels, coached by Zach Callaham and Kyle Runyon, defeated Coach Tivis Hinkle’s T-Birds twice, the first time by a 14-3 score. They also defeated the Vipers 15-4 in the double-elimination tournament.

The Angels exploded for five runs in the first inning of the championship game behind a triple by Kennedy Mills and a double by Macie Callaham. Harper Runyon and Alexis Bowen each knocked a single. The T-Birds walked the first three batters as the Angles took the lead 5-0.

The T-Birds went three up and three down in their first at-bat.

The Angels plated two runs in the second inning. Brynleigh Chapman and Christal Hinkle each walked and Kenleigh Estep knocked a single. The score was 7-0.

Jalynn McGinnis reached base and made it to third for the T-Birds in the second inning. The Angels recorded two strikeouts to end the frame, not allowing the run to score.

The Angels were not finished. They scored two runs in the third behind a two-bagger by Callaham and singles by Mills and Runyon.

Annabelle Gess knocked a double for the T-Birds and reached third base in the third inning. Once again, the Angels’ defense recorded three outs and held the runner on third.

The T-Birds scored one run in the fifth. Jordyn Mollette and Alice Mae each knocked singles to bring Jordyn Mollette across the plate.

Christal Hinkle and Mills singled in the fifth to score two runs for the Angels and put the game away.