by Jonathan Smith

WINDSOR
After taking time off for spring break and a road loss to Northumberland, the Lady Dukes returned home Thursday afternoon to face the Brunswick Bulldogs in a pivotal Tri-River’s District game, ultimately defeating them 7-1.

The Lady Dukes jumped out early with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore Cameron Pagan and Junior E.J. Bankson both hit home runs in the first frame. First baseman Edythe Carr also picked up an RBI when she doubled to bring in Torri Queen from second.

The Lady Dukes picked up a run in the fifth on a Madison O’Brien RBI single. The Dukes struck again in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two more runs when Sydney Carter scored on an Aylssa Funai triple, and Funai came around to score when Bankson hit a line drive to left field.

Bankson laid the Duke’s defense and pitched a complete game, giving up three hits, one run, and no walks while recording nine strike outs.

Junior catcher O’Brien also recorded her eighth put-out of a base runner attempting to steal in the top of the seventh inning to persevere the Dukes’ 7-1 win over the Bulldogs.

With the win, the Lady Dukes improve to 8-1 overall for the season and 5-0 in the Tri-River’s District. The Dukes will be back on the road Tuesday when they travel to Southampton High School. The game is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.

JONATHAN SMITH is the assistant varsity softball coach at Windsor High School. Contact him at 242-6172.