Bragg’s walk-off in the seventh gives UCMS softball the win

Sierra Burnett takes off from first base for the UCMS softball team.

BLAIRSVILLE, GA – A walk-off hit from Ila Bragg in the bottom of the seventh inning gave the Union County Middle softball team an 8-6 victory against Pickens County on Thursday, Sept. 19, in Blairsville, to wrap up the regular-season schedule.

With the score tied at six each and the Lady Panthers (16-2) down to their last out, Bragg stepped to the plate with two runners on base.

Facing a full count, Bragg delivered, smacking a triple to right field and driving in Aubrie Akins and Addison Kennedy to give Union County the victory.

The Lady Panthers trailed 6-5 heading into the bottom of the final inning. With the possibility of suffering just their third loss of the season becoming a reality, the team went to work.

Sloan Dyer heads to first base after knocking a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning Thursday.

With two outs already in the inning, Sloan Dyer worked the count to earn and walk and put the tying run on first base.

Akins was then hit by a pitch, putting the game-winning run on first base and moving Dyer to second.

During the next at-bat, Kennedy hit a fly ball to left field that looked like it might end the game. But an error by the Pickens County left fielder allowed Kennedy to reach base and Dyer to score to tie the game at 6-6 and set up Bragg for the walk-off hit.

Bragg finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBIs, a walk, a triple, and a stolen base.

Dyer and Sierra Burnett were the only two Lady Panthers players with more than one hit with two apiece.

Dyer went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, two runs scored, and a two-run home run.

Sierra Burnett stands in the circle for the UCMS softball team against Pickens County. Burnett threw a complete game in the team’s victory.

Dyer’s home run happened in the bottom of the first inning to give the Lady Panthers their first runs of the game and pull the team within one, trailing 3-2.

Burnett was 2-for-2 on the night, scoring three runs and drawing two walks.

She also threw a complete game from the circle, surrendering eight hits, six runs – three earned – and striking out five while walking two.

Aubrie Akins finished the night with a run scored and an RBI, while Layla Akins added a walk on a 1-for-2 performance.

Kennedy ended the night with a run and walk for the Lady Panthers, who will host all three rounds of the postseason tournament at Meeks Park beginning Tuesday, Sept. 24, and lasting until Friday, Sept 26, in Blairsville.

James Wolfe