Newton Citizen

COVINGTON -- The Heritage softball team scored six runs to start the game as they went on to beat Rockdale 10-1 in five innings to end Region 8-AAAA play on Thursday.

"We finished 8-2 as the No. 2 team in the region," Heritage head coach Dickey Hightower said. "We will play the No. 6 team on Tuesday."

The Lady Patriots (20-7, 8-2) had six hits in the top of the first inning, with Heidi Shepherd, Amanda Stover and Morgan Boyd hitting doubles.

"They hit the ball, the girls don't fold. They play hard no matter what," Rockdale head coach Justin Arrington said. "But it is what it is. They hit the ball where we're not."

Rockdale (4-17, 2-8) tried to muster a comeback in the home half of the first but could only get one run when Bre Richardson plated India Davis with a sacrifice ground out.

After a scoreless second and third inning, Heritage got the hits they wanted in the final two innings, scoring two runs in each.

"We kinda had a little bit of a letdown after we scored six runs. It's nice to get a six-run lead in the first inning, regardless of who you're playing," Hightower said.

Pacing the Lady Patriots at the plate with two hits each were Kayla Phillips, Stover and Boyd.

Heritage's Kierra Camp all but shut down Rockdale's offense as she allowed only three hits while striking out 12 batters.

Getting the hits for the Lady Bulldogs were Davis, Richardson and Miasia Mayer.

"Kierra's been throwing real well the last couple of outings for Heritage," Arrington said. "They played Madison (County) on Tuesday and that was a 1-0 ball game and Madison swings the bat pretty well. She was just on today."