CFNN Reporter Allie Dawson and Kalilah De La Cruz

The Cape Fear softball team took on Union Pines this past Thursday for the second time this season. The Colts lost to the Vikings 7-8 in the first game of the season.

Most of the students were enjoying spring break on the beach, the team was putting in work on the field to avenge the early season loss.

The Colts had a rocky 1st inning and let the Vikings take the early lead with a the score of 3-0. The Colts held them at 3, though, and scored their first run in the 3rd inning and continued to scratch off runs throughout the game.

With Kloe Watts on 3rd and Addie Davis on 2nd, Allie Dawson hit a sac fly to center to score the first run for the Colts.

“I knew we had to get a run across the plate somehow. I knew where the outfield was playing, so I read my defense to score Kloe and get my team going,” said Dawson.

Once again, Olivia Melvin pitched a phenomenal game and only allowed 2 hits to the Vikings. Melvin also scored the 2nd run for the Colts with a moon shot out of the park for a home run.

Dawson and Melvin both started the 4th inning by getting hits. Kalilah Dela Cruz came up behind them and layed down a bunt, which loaded the bases. Gracey Horne stepped into the box and ripped a line drive down the first base line, tying the score 3-3.

“It was an extremely pressured situation but I just knew I had to get the job done and put the ball in play and on the ground,” said Horne.

The Colts went to the bottom of the 7th inning hoping to hold the Vikings for a chance at extra innings. The leadoff hitter for the Vikings hit a triple. With the winning run on third, the Colts retired the next 3 batters, holding the Vikings scoreless in the final frame, sending the game into extra innings.

In the top of the 8th, the Colts loaded the bases, and with Gracey Horne back up to bat, she was hit by a pitch to put the Colts in the lead. They went back onto the field in the bottom of the 8th to hold the Vikings. Alex Serbio made a great play down the line and saved what surely would be a game clinching double. With the tough defense, Melvin was able to close out the game with a big strikeout.

The win moves the Colts to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in conference. Both JV and Varsity will play Purnell Swett on Tuesday at home in a key U8 matchup.