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By Brian Pitts

Enterprise Record

Davie’s varsity softball team nailed down third place in the Central Piedmont Conference by beating Reagan for the 26th time in 26 tries in Pfafftown on April 24.

“We took care of business,” coach Nathan Handy said after a 13-4 wipeout. “We hit the ball really well.”

In a two-run second, Hannah Steinour doubled and Leah Grimes singled. In a three-run third, Sydney Dirks slammed a two-run homer and Steinour smacked another double. Ashley Bledsoe doubled as Davie (8-4 CPC) scored one in the fourth. In the fifth, when the lead swelled to 9-0, Steinour, Riley Potts and Raelyn Lankford had hits.

The Raiders, who were trying to tie Davie for third but finished fourth at 7-6, rallied for four runs in the fifth. But they wouldn’t get another hit, and Davie kept raking in the sixth and seventh.

The 4-5 hitters in the order, Dirks and Steinour, were the offensive stars. Steinour went 4-5 with three runs and two RBIs. Dirks went 2-3 with three runs and three RBIs.

“Hanna is probably the biggest surprise of anybody this year,” Handy said. “She’s going to be a big asset the next two years.”

Davie’s 13-hit attack included one each from Jaydn Davis, Summer Simpson and Carleigh Croom.

Potts cruised in the circle, working a three-hit shutout for 6.2 innings. She faced 24 batters, or four over the minimum. Addie Hendrix, who is suffering from a hurt shoulder, pitched 1/3 of an inning.

Davie 18, Parkland 0

One day later at home, the War Eagles (14-6-1 overall, 9-4 CPC) made quick work of the 2-10 Mustangs, the game ending after two and a half innings.

It was Senior Night for three girls who will play at the collegiate level next year: Dirks (Western Carolina), Grimes (Mars Hill) and Simpson (Appalachian State).

“I don’t think Leah’s ever been mad and showed it,” Handy said. “Summer and Syd, each one brings something different to the team. We’re sad to see them graduating, but glad they have earned themselves opportunities to continue to play.”

The best part for Handy was seeing three girls in the circle who had not pitched all season. Lankford threw the first inning in her first mound action since 2022. Simpson hurled the second and Dirks the third. They had never pitched in a varsity game before this. The trio of arms gave up one hit and racked up nine Ks.

“It’s a long season and you’ve got to figure out ways for our girls to have fun,” Handy said. “I told Summer before the game to warm up to pitch, and she thought I was joking. Syd said she wanted to pitch and I said: ‘Hey, go for it.’ I said: ‘If you walk them loaded, you’ve got to pull yourself out of it. There’s no help coming.’ It was fun. I’ve not had a lot to do with their softball careers, but it’s been an enjoyable two years with them.”