10-game winning streak snapped

Madison County (15-3) downed South Gwinnett, Starr’s Mill (twice), Columbus and Lowndes at the Shaw Invitational in Columbus Friday and Saturday.

“We had five good wins,” said Red Raider head coach Doug Kesler. “We saw a couple of good teams in Lowndes and Columbus.”

The Red Raiders earned the victories with solid pitching, allowing just one earned run in five games.

The team scored 34 runs in the five games, with Ivie Drake continuing her prolific hitting. The sophomore, who blasted two homers against Columbus, now holds the single season and career home run record for MCHS, with seven round trippers this season and 11 in her career.

“Ivie continues to be red hot and swing the bat well,” said Kesler. “Some of the other girls had a good week offensively too.”

Kesler said Randee Bettis, Jessica Allen and Olivia Duncan all hit the ball well. Duncan, the team’s standout third baseman, dislocated her finger while diving back into first base Saturday. Kesler said she will be out indefinitely.

“It’s sort of like losing your quarterback,” said Kesler, regarding the significance of her absence.

Madison County dropped a close game to Habersham Central on the road Tuesday in its first action since the Shaw Invitational. The Raiders from Mt. Airy scored three runs in the third inning off two Madison County errors.

Asked if the five games over the weekend had any effect on his team Tuesday, Kesler said that wasn’t the case.

“There are no excuses,” he said. “We just didn’t get it done.”