Davie’s junior varsity softball team shrugged off a 2-0 deficit and torched visiting Reagan 15-2 in five mercy-rule innings in the Central Piedmont Conference opener.

“I know it can be tough to start the game down 2-0, but this group of girls has so much want-to and drive that they hopped in the box, waited on their pitch and hit it,” coach Morgan Wyatt said after Davie improved to 3-0 overall.

After Reagan scored twice in the top of the first inning, Davie answered with five. It pushed the margin to 8-2 in the third and capped the scoring with a seven-spot in the fourth.

Freshman pitcher River Simpson put up four goose eggs after the slow start. She held Reagan to four hits.

Leadoff batter Emilee Dishman had a big day, going 3 for 4 with two RBIs and three stolen bases. But she had plenty of help.

Sydney Hendren was 2 for 3. McKenzie Burchette and Simpson were both 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Lydia Kennedy had a double. Sierra Ferguson had a double and three RBIs. Bailey Walsh singled and scored three runs as Davie tallied 12 hits.

“Ferguson was hitting the ball hard, and Reagan’s defense was making the plays,” Wyatt said of Ferguson’s 1-for-4 showing. “Hendren’s bat has gotten hot. Burchette came alive. She is a very patient hitter and has drawn several walks. She is very disciplined. Simpson has not only stepped up as a leader defensively on the mound, but she helped herself (with two hits).”

Afterward, Wyatt made sure to keep her undefeated team’s feet firmly on the ground.

“Even though we got a win, I know these girls could have done better,” she said. “Coach (Blaine Nicholson) and I have high expectations because we know and see day in and day out how much talent and potential this team has. We want victories, not just wins. We want our girls to be able to walk away at the end of the day and be able to say they left everything on the field.”