Lady ‘Dawgs power past Indy, pick up 22nd straight victory

By Maurice Patton

They may not be the ‘defending’ state softball champions – two years removed from their 2019 Class A title and now competing in Division II-A – but Columbia Academy’s Lady Bulldogs do have a winning streak that stands at 22 games over three seasons following Tuesday’s 15-0, four-inning victory over visiting Independence.

“They’re a pretty hungry group,” CA coach Seth Anderson said after his team scored in each of its at-bats and got home runs from Kennedy Chatman and Myleah Hardy a day after a 3-0 season-opening homefield win against Dickson County.

“I think all your spring sport athletes are anxious and excited and ready to get this season going. They’re not taking anything for granted after last year.”

After plating a pair of runs in the opening inning and three more in the second, Columbia Academy broke the contest open against an Independence squad that lost 10-2 Monday night at Columbia Central. Hardy, a transfer from Lawrence County, and Chatman each went deep during a seven-run third inning.

“We put the ball in play,” Anderson said. “(Hardy) definitely provides some power to our offense, and she’s got a strong glove at first base when Journey is pitching, so we don’t really miss a beat over there.”

Senior Journey Mitchell, meanwhile, struck out nine straight batters and finished with 10.

“She really did a good job crushing the strike zone,” Anderson said regarding the Carson-Newman signee. “She got ahead in counts early. That helped her out.”

Scheduled to play Thursday at Loretto, the Lady Bulldogs are set to participate this weekend in the Mary Vowell Classic at Franklin’s Fly Park.

Photos by Vanessa Beach / SM-Tn Sports

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