SHAWN DIGIANFELICE

Sports Writer

The Cascade Lady Champions experienced a little bit of everything this week — an explosive opponent inning, a dominant shutout in the circle, and a narrow late-game setback. Despite finishing 1-2 over the stretch, Cascade showed consistent production at the plate and strong pitching performances, with timely moments ultimately deciding each contest.

Columbia – 8, Cascade – 5

A single big inning proved the difference Monday night, as the Cascade Lady Champions out-hit Columbia Central but couldn’t overcome a six-run fourth in an 8-5 loss.

Cascade finished with ten hits on the night and saw multiple bats produce, but Columbia capitalized on timely opportunities to swing momentum. A two-out error helped Columbia break through in the second, and the visitors later delivered the decisive blow in the fourth, stringing together five hits — including a two-run homer — to take control.

The Lady Champions had no shortage of offense. Alayna Cruse, Jocelyn Laughlin, Kenzie Bledsoe, and MaKayla Fisher each collected two hits, with Fisher driving in a team-high two RBIs. 

In the circle, Shalan Burt went the distance, working seven innings while allowing nine hits and eight runs (seven earned), striking out two and walking one. Despite the final line, Burt kept Cascade within reach outside of the pivotal fourth inning.

Cascade – 3, Loretto – 0

Cascade turned a dominant performance in the circle into a clean 3-0 victory over Loretto on Tuesday, using a key third-inning surge and lights-out pitching to control the game from start to finish.

The Lady Champions broke through in the third, plating all three of their runs, which proved to be more than enough behind a stellar outing from Jocelyn Laughlin. The right-hander was in complete command, tossing a one-hit shutout over seven innings while striking out nine and working around four walks.

At the plate, Cascade finished with six hits, getting production up and down the lineup. MoMo Bilbro led the way with a 2-for-3 night, scoring a run and driving in another while also adding extra-base pop. Maddie Fisher reached safely and scored, while Kenzie Bledsoe added a hit and a run. Laughlin helped her own cause with an RBI, and Caroline Parker chipped in a hit as part of a balanced offensive effort.

Coffee County – 2, Cascade – 1

Cascade saw a strong effort in the circle go unrewarded Tuesday night, as Coffee County scratched across a pair of late runs to edge the Lady Champions 2-1 in a tightly contested matchup.

The game remained scoreless early before Cascade broke through in the third inning. The Lady Champions capitalized on limited opportunities, managing just one hit on the night but still pushing across a run to grab a 1-0 lead.

Coffee County answered in the fourth to even things up, then took the lead for good with a run in the sixth, using timely hitting to overcome a solid Cascade pitching performance.

In the circle, Shalan Burt turned in a gritty complete-game effort for Cascade, working all six innings while allowing eight hits and two runs. Burt battled throughout, limiting damage in multiple innings while striking out three and walking two.

Offensively, MaKenzie Fisher provided the lone hit for the Lady Champions, a double that accounted for Cascade’s only extra-base knock of the game. Alayna Cruse scored the team’s lone run and also reached base via walk, while Kenzie Bledsoe drove in Cascade’s only RBI.

Cascade (5-10, 2-4), will return to action on Monday as they host Huntland. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 P.M.