RINGGOLD, Ga. - Bailey Christol plays the role of leadoff hitter to perfection for the Heritage High School softball team.
The energetic junior led off the bottom of the first inning Thursday night by roping a single to center field, promptly stole second, then came home on Zoe Wright's single. That opened the floodgates for the Lady Generals, who crossed the plate eight more times in the inning on their way to a 9-0 win over Region 6-AAAA foe Northwest Whitfield.
Christol - who also doubled in two runs and scored again - finished 3-for-3 to push her season batting average to .500 with 35 hits.
"If you're not going to have fun playing the game, it's a lot harder to win," Christol said. "We look forward to coming to play every single day, and that excitement is what has helped us win."
Her approach is appreciated by Heritage coach Tanner Moore.
"Everything about Bailey screams the next level," he said. "She does a great job of getting on and getting over, but more than that she keeps everybody up and in the game. If we have a rock, someone everybody looks to, it's Bailey Christol."
The large lead proved to be more than enough for Rachel Gibson, who entered the game with a 1.20 ERA. The junior pitcher was dominant in the circle, striking out 11 batters in five innings and giving up four hits and two walks.
Sophomore Riley Kokinda also had a single and a triple and drove in two runs for the Lady Generals (15-6, 10-0).
"I'm very proud of the way we responded after a tough weekend (at the Score Invitational at Warner Park)," Moore said. "I told them if we just focus on ourselves and keep working, good things are going to happen."
Both Heritage and Northwest (17-5, 7-3) have key region matchups next week against LaFayette (12-6, 9-1) - currently in second place - to determine who will play in the 6-AAAA championship game.
Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com.