CHHS follows seniors

The Charles Henderson softball team honored its seniors Tuesday night before their final regular-season game.

The seniors then honored the rest of the team by blowing out 6A foe Northview 12-1 in five innings.

Senior pitcher Rachael Spurlin pitched a two-hitter, and Chelsey Howard went three-for-three with a near cycle (she did not get a chance at the home run), three runs scored and an RBI.

She also recorded the final four outs of the game as the first baseman.

The seniors helped the Trojans even the score, because many of them were not available for the first meeting.

"We played them down there during Spring Break," Charles Henderson coach Steve Haug said. "We had some kids sick, some out and the rest thinking about Spring Break. They beat us 7-1, the only time they've beaten us at fast pitch."

Andrea Ellis, the senior short stop, had a diving stop in the fourth that robbed Deborah Riley of a single. Ellis threw her out at first.

Laura Wesley, the catcher, had a perfect day at the plate. She batted one-for-one with a walk and was hit by a pitch. She scored one run and batted in a run.

Natalie Patterson batted two-for-three, scored a run and knocked in another.

The rest of the Trojans showed up as well. Charles Henderson recorded 11 hits in the game en route to the rout.

The game was close until the bottom of the fourth inning. Charles Henderson sent 14 batters to the plate, nine of whom scored. Eight of those batters got hits, one walked, another was hit by a pitch and one reached on an error. Northview committed two more throwing errors to help the Trojans around the bases. The Trojans also stole five bases in the game.

Of all the batters, though, Howard had the best day. She hit a double to right field in her first at bat, a triple to the same spot in her second and, when the outfielders backed up in the fourth, she blooped a single to center field. She was in the on-deck circle for a second time in the fourth when Ashton Spann popped up to first.

"Chelsey is playing great for having double pneumonia only a few weeks ago. It's amazing how well she's doing," Haug said.

The Trojans begin the sectional tournament this weekend at the Troy Sportsplex. The Trojans' first game will be at 8 p.m. Friday.