DUNCAN, S.C. – The Barton softball team (27-22) saw its season come to an end with a 9-6 setback to King (35-21) Sunday evening at the 2023 Conference Carolinas Championship at Tyger River Park.
The Tornado, the top seed in the tournament, will face third-seeded Francis Marion (40-11) on Monday in the championship game at Noon. Barton was the fifth seed in the league championship.
King, who avenged an earlier loss to the Bulldogs by a 2-1 score in the tournament, jumped out to a 7-0 lead after three innings of play and survived a late rally for the win. The Tornado plated four runs in the first inning while Jessica Campbell (Graysville, Tenn.) added a three-run home run in the fourth frame.
A two-run single from sophomore designated hitter
Gracelyn Massey (Princeton, N.C.) highlighted a four-run ninth inning in the losing effort for the Bulldogs. Barton senior third baseman
Lindsey Massengill (Pine Level, N.C.) finished with two hits and an RBI in the setback as well.
For King, Savana Luper (Salem, Va.) improved to 13-5 on the season while Madison Walter (Lebanon, Pa.) registered the final two outs for her fourth save of the year. Barton senior
AnnaKate Gilchrist (Clayton, N.C.) (5-5) was tagged with the loss.
