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The Ellis softball team is off to a magnificent start, torching four opponents by a combined score of 48-5.

The victims so far have been North Davie (11-4), South Davie (11-1), Wesleyan Christian Academy (13-0) and North Carolina Leadership Academy (13-0).

Jadyn Davis has launched two home runs over the fence, one against South and the other against Wesleyan. Brianna Tolar has pitched two lights-out games, allowing one run total.

“The team has played really good defense so far with Carly Crouch anchoring short and Abbey Lankford playing third,” coach Chris Callison said.

The eighth graders on the team are Kaleigh Allen, Kori Bailey, Crouch, J. Davis, Mary Jordan, Lankford, Hannah Meacham and Makayla Van Meter. The seventh graders are Brylie Creel, Madison Daugherty, Raegan Davis, Riley Shortt, Lillyanne Simmons, Tolar and Miley Zamora.

ND Baseball

Brady Marshall drove in 10 runs in two games and Wesleyan and Summit had no chance against North Davie’s high-powered baseball team.

Marshall is having an incredible season. In a 14-3, five-inning win at Wesleyan Christian Academy on March 29, he went 2 for 3 with five RBIs, and that’s only half of it. In 2.1 relief innings, he struck out all seven batters he faced.

“Marshall was an RBI machine,” coach Trevor Gooch said.

Among the top hitters were Tanner Steinour (1-2, double, two RBIs), Jack Greer (1-2, double, two RBIs), Braxton Hunter (1-2, double) and Reynolds Tomlinson (1-2, double).

Josh Whitaker pitched the first 2.2 innings, and Nathan Nuckols was the defensive player of the game at second.

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One day later, the Wildcats clubbed visiting Summit 16-1 in four innings. In order to build a 6-1-1 record with a series of wipeouts, you have to get contributions from throughout the lineup. That’s what is happening with North.

In this one, Brice Wilson struck out eight of nine batters in three innings of one-hit work. Reliever Ian Patton threw a perfect fourth.

“Brice had a lively fastball,” Gooch said.

Three Wildcats had two hits: Marshall (2-2, triple, five RBIs), Blake French (2-4, double, two RBIs) and Hunter (2-2). Steinour, the catcher, was the defensive standout.

“Our kids came to play,” Gooch said.