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A masterpiece in the circle coupled with some key at-bats lifted Red Level to a 3-0 win over Straughn in varsity softball action on Tuesday, March 4.

Red Level improved to 7-4 on the season, while Straughn fell to 6-3 for the year.

Jaycee Norton reached on a one-out error in the visiting first and moved to second on a passed ball. Caroline Blackwell held Straughn scoreless when Annlee Wise struck out and Mckena Bailey popped out. Greer Meeks began the home half with a bunt and took first on a defensive miscue. Bailey struck out Camani Crittenden before Amaya Williams doubled and put runners at the corners. Payten Martin drove home Meeks with a sacrifice fly as Red Level took a 1-0 lead after an inning.

Shelby Pettus reached on a defensive mistake in the top of the second but was thrown out attempting to steal second. Blackwell struck out Callie Ann McVay and Logan Parrish and ended the frame. Bailey struck out Bailey Green after an eight-pitch at-bat and kept the score 1-0 after two innings with two outs on two pitches.

Straughn threatened in the top of the third with two outs. Adelaide Dunn reached on an error, while Norton drew a four-pitch walk. Wise loaded the bases with a single, but Blackwell worked out of the jam unscathed when Bailey flew out. Meeks and Crittenden had consecutive singles in the bottom half, but Bailey left both in scoring position after Williams flew out and Martin struck out as the score remained 1-0 after three innings.

Pettus opened the fourth with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball. Straughn could not break through when Blackwell earned strikeouts and a pop-up. Blackwell and Green knocked back-to-back singles before Zoey Phillips struck out. Kayden Lord followed with a clutch RBI single and brought Blackwell to the plate with a crucial run. Norton took over in the circle as Elizabeth Rodberg laid down a sacrifice bunt. The rally ended with a strikeout, but Red Level took a 2-0 lead after four innings.

Although the fifth was a quiet inning from both sides, there were some pitching highlights. Blackwell retired the side in order on just eight pitches. Norton had a runner reach third with one out but was not fazed and also hung a zero on the scoreboard.

Blackwell was economical yet again in the sixth and needed 10 pitches as Straughn went down 1-2-3. Green led off the bottom half with a walk, while Phillips laid down a bunt and advanced to third on an error. Green was tagged out at the plate, but Phillips scored on a fielder’s choice and gave Red Level a 3-0 lead after six innings.

Blackwell closed the game in the seventh with another scoreless inning on nine pitches.

Green went 1-for-2 at the plate for Red Level, while Lord was 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Blackwell also finished 1-for-3 with a run scored and allowed two hits with eight strikeouts in the complete-game win.

Wise and Pettus were both 1-for-3 for Straughn. Bailey gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits with four strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Norton was tagged for an unearned run and also struck out four in 2 2/3 innings.

Both teams play again on Thursday, March 13. Straughn will travel to Pike County for an area game at 5 p.m., while Red Level will host W.S. Neal beginning at 6:30 p.m.