Area Roundup: Henson homers in NW loss

Published 11:46 pm Monday, August 29, 2011

Northwest Whitfield allowed a walk to become a runner in scoring position, a hit to become a run and an error to create a big inning in a 4-1 loss Monday to Ga.PrepCountry.Com Class A No. 1-ranked Gordon Lee in Chickamauga.

“Things kind of snowballed on us in the fifth inning,” Shane Ramsey said of his Lady Bruins, who have lost three of their last four contests, all of whom were ranked in the top 10 of various classifications.

But Ramsey said he wants Northwest (6-3), ranked No. 5 in the most recent Class 4A poll, to become comfortable playing against the best the state has to offer.

“We’ve played well, but we need to do a better job of wanting to play in big games,” Ramsey said. “We’re not there yet.”

Colbie Thomas led the Lady Bruins with two hits, and Karlie Henson contributed a solo home run for Northwest’s only score. Emily Boyd took the loss, pitching a complete game with four strikeouts and allowing six hits walking three.

Ramsey said he has plenty of faith in the Lady Bruins.

“History tells me in a week or two, we’ll hit our stride,” Ramsey said. “We’ll have worked some of this stuff out. I think we’ll be where I want them to be.”

• Christian Heritage 6, Heritage School 2: Erin Harden struck out 12 batters to help lead the Lady Lions to their first win of the season in Newnan.

Rebecca Leonard was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and Reagan Benedict added two hits in improving to 1-3-1 overall and in Region 4-2A. Megan McKinney also scored.

“Our pitching is going to keep us in games if we play solid defense,” Lady Lions coach Mike Leonard said, “We’ve just got to find girls hitting consistently down the lineup. If we hit the ball, we’ve got the pitching to win and beat anybody.”

Volleyball

• Christian Heritage opened its play in the Georgia Independent School Association’s All-Class Region 1 with a three-game sweep over Atlanta Girls School 25-10, 25-18, 25-19.

“We’re much improved from what I saw in the first game,” Lady Lions coach Kim Parsons said. “They played as a team and hustled. We played our game, and that’s good to see.”

Christian Heritage’s junior varsity also won its match 25-18, 25-20.