Softball Raiders surge into Sept.

Madison County proved it can win the close ones in the region. Now, the Raiders have shown they can win rather convincingly, too.

Madison County is off to a 10-1 start, having trounced defending 8-AAAA North champion Apalachee 10-1 last week (Aug. 27).

Madison County (10-1, 3-0) pounded out 12 hits in run-ruling the Wildcats in six innings. The Raiders then took care of business five days later, cruising past winless Cedar Shoals 12-0 in just four innings on Tuesday (Sept. 1) to remain unbeaten in subregion play.

Of course, the victory over Apalachee, a 21-win team last year, is the one being savored.

“I had said that the (Aug. 21) Franklin County win was our most complete game of the season, but, without a doubt, this one was,” Raider coach Doug Kesler said.

The Raiders sprung for plenty of offense against Apalachee ace Kaitlyn Medlam. Up 1-0 after three innings, Madison County scored four runs in the fourth and five in the sixth.

“We just played well and got on a roll … It was a big win for us,” Kesler said.

Erin Gibson, who pitched Madison County past Habersham Central two days earlier, worked six innings, surrendering four hits and striking out four. The lefty also retired the side in order three times in picking up yet another victory.

“She did a good job of moving the ball around,” Kesler said.

Offensively, Haley Peeples and Emily Mann — filling in for an ailing Brandi Osborne at second base — each had three hits.

Others swinging hot bats were Katie Bolin, who went 2-for-4 with a double, and Gibson, who doubled and drove in a run. Timia Skelton added a double as well, driving home two runs in the sixth.

With victories over Habersham Central and Apalachee, division-leading Madison County has earned no less than a season split against two of the top contenders in the North division of 8-AAAA.

“It puts us in really good shape … It’s a good position to be in,” Kesler said.

Madison County continues its subregion slate today (Thursday) against Clarke Central at home before traveling to Winder-Barrow Wednesday.

The annual trip to the Shaw Invitational in Columbus follows Sept. 11-12.