Gulf Shores, La. — The Hinds Community College softball team won four games at the Coyote Classic, highlighted by dominant pitching and timely hitting, according to team sources.
In the first game, Claire Mellard earned her fourth win of the season after giving up a three-run homer in the first inning. She settled in afterward, allowing just three more Pirates to reach base. Hinds scored four runs on 10 hits, with Jalia McDaniel driving in the first run with a triple and later scoring on an error. Mackenzie Smith’s sacrifice fly in the sixth tied the game, and Addison Galloway’s single in the seventh sealed the walk-off victory.
Laicie Bridges made her first start of the season in the second game, pitching a complete game and allowing one run on six hits. The Lady Eagles collected 14 hits and scored 11 runs, led by Adyson McKnight, who went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Galloway added three hits, including two doubles, and scored twice.
In the third game, Hinds faced its first ranked opponent of the season, Central Alabama. After falling behind 2-0 early, the Lady Eagles responded with a five-run rally in the third. Aubrie Carter sparked the inning with a hit-by-pitch, and Sampson delivered an RBI single. McDaniel and Emma Hudson added doubles, and Hall’s two-run homer in the seventh secured the win, with Abby McLean earning the start and Mellard pitching three innings of relief.
The weekend concluded with a run-rule victory over Bishop State, as Hinds scored nine runs in five innings on 15 hits. Four players had multiple hits, including Hall, McLean, Smith, and Fireplace. Fireplace came off the bench with a double to drive in two runs in the third inning and added two more RBIs in the fifth. Jazmin Robertson started on the mound, earning the win, with Bridges and Gibson providing relief. The Lady Eagles will host their home opener against No. 16 Parkland College on Thursday at Rene T. Warren Field on the Raymond campus. Fans can purchase tickets online or follow live updates on GameChanger, X @HindsCC_SB, and Instagram @hindsccsoftball.
