The University Heights Academy softball team suffered its first defeat of the season on Monday at Northeast, TN, failing to collect a base hit in a 12-3 loss to the Eagles.
Northeast moved to 3-1 behind a strong outing in the circle from Sage Ferguson. Ferguson held the Lady Blazers hitless over five frames, giving up two runs on five walks with nine strikeouts.
Katelynn Griffey highlighted a four-run first with a single to drive in two runs, and Julie Rollins bunted her way on to push a run across as Northeast doubled the advantage in the second.
UHA got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth when Katherine Wood was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Emily Dilday grounded into a fielder’s choice to bring in a run, and Brooke Hancock drew a walk with the bases juiced to cut the lead to 9-3.
But that would be it for the Lady Blazer offense, and Northeast capped a three-run fifth with a two-run single by Rollins for the final margin.
Dilday took the loss in the circle for the Lady Blazers, surrendering four earned runs with four walks. Olivia Oakley came on in relief for the final four and two-thirds, surrendering eight runs, six earned, on four hits with four strikeouts and seven walks.
UHA now stands at 2-1 ahead of a district matchup with Heritage Christian Academy on Thursday.
