HAMLET – On Monday afternoon, the Hamlet Middle School softball team took an opportunity to tune up before Wednesday’s conference opener against a tough Anson squad when it hosted the Eagles from Uwharrie Charter School.
If anyone doubted whether or not the Lady Red Rams were ready to start the season, Quston Leviner quelled those concerns. The eighth grader struck out an impressive 19 batters and surrendered only a single hit from the circle to lead her team to a 7-0 season opening victory.
Leviner, who takes lessons with pitching Coach Ralph Grant, shared that her performance was a milestone. “I started pitching in the fourth grade,” Leviner stated after the game. “I have never had 19 strikeouts before.”
Despite being a last minute addition to the schedule, the contest between Hamlet and Uwharrie Charter filled the stands to capacity and left several spectators lining the fence. Unfortunately, for the Eagles fans that made the trek from Asheboro, the Lady Red Rams controlled the game from start to finish.
Hamlet (1-0) scored early and often, lighting up the scoreboard in the first, third, fifth and sixth innings. Leviner helped her cause going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
Others contributing at the plate were Christi Jacobs (1-for-2, two RBIs), Katie Way (2-for-4, RBI), Jakayla Steele (1-for-3, RBI), and Ryelan Lyerly (1-for-4).
“I think we look good this season,” Leviner said of the team. “Our chances of going to the playoffs are very high.”
The Lady Red Rams will square off against Anson at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in Wadesboro. The Lady Bearcats improved to 2-0 on Monday afternoon with a 20-0 rout of Cordova.
