Lady Patriots fall short in the seventh inning

The Arendell Parrott Academy Patriots' softball team opened their season on Monday with a tough 6-5 loss to Harrells Christian. Both teams rallied from behind, but the Patroits rally fell short with the game-winning run left on base.

The Patriots got on the board first with a 2-out RBI single by Isabel Faulkner. The next four inning was a pitching battle until the Harrells put a big run to take the lead.

Harrells Christian in the top of the sixth loaded the bases with one out. The Crusaders took advantage and extended their lead to 6-3 headed into the last at bat for Patriots to either tie or take the lead for the win.

The Patriots tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the seventh with a grounder from Faulkner, followed by a wild pitch that allowed Ferebee to score. Singles from Katelyn Corbett and Elizabeth Atkins put the tying run on third, but the rally fell short.

"Overall, I’m not dissatisfied; we did some really good things and got out of some jams; we had two double plays already," said APA coach Kristin White. "But we can't wait until the sixth or seventh inning. We have to hit one through seven. I am pleased overall because the things we saw wrong, we can fix."

The Patriots will look to bounce back on Thursday when they host the Rocky Mount Academy.