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After losing the opening game of the season 1-0 in nine innings on Feb. 28, the West Stanly softball team bounced back to post a five-game win streak against several teams from higher classifications.

West rebounded 24 hours after the opening loss to beat 3A Carson 10-0, with Lily Huneycutt throwing a five-inning no-hitter for the Colts. Teagan Ritchie had a triple and drove in four runs while Payton Triple added an RBI triple and a solo home run. Eight Colts had hits in the win.

On March 7, the Colts hosted 3A Oak Grove and earned a 3-1 win. Payton Watson walked with one out in the first inning and later scored when Ritchie delivered a two-run home run to left. Huneycutt allowed one earned run on two hits to pick up the pitching win for West.

The Colts topped North Stanly on the road in six innings, 10-0, March 9. Kristen Smith had a double and three RBIs as West posted six extra-base hits in the win. Watson and Ritchie drove in two runs each. Lilly Hartsell pitched four innings of relief and earned the win for West, striking out five.

West traveled to 4A Hickory Ridge March 10 and won 1-0 versus the Ragin’ Bulls who are ranked sixth overall in the state regardless of classification. Huneycutt pitched a two-hit shutout and Little drove in the only run of the game with a two-out double in the third.

This week, West added two home victories to improve to 5-1 on the season. The Colts hosted 4A Mooresville Tuesday and earned a 5-1 win over the Blue Devils.

In the Mooresville win, Carmen McRae broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run homer. Kristen Smith was 4-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Brooklyn Lovin also had an RBI single for West in the fifth inning.

Lily Huneycutt got the win for West, allowing three hits and one earned run, a solo home run in the top of the seventh. She struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

On Thursday, West hosted another 4A team, the South Caldwell Spartans. The Colts shut out South Caldwell 3-0, with Huneycutt fanning 11 batters and allowing two hits with no walks.

McRae put West up in the fourth inning with an RBI single, and Payton Little delivered a two-run home run to center field.

This coming week, the Colts open conference play with a home game Tuesday against Anson County and a Thursday road game at Central Academy. West also faces a non-conference road game Friday at West Cabarrus.