A pair of Brookland-Cayce college commitments sparked an offensive explosion in the team’s Region 5-3A opener Tuesday in North Augusta. 

University of Arkansas commit Hayden Thomas and West Virginia commit Skylar King each accounted for 6 RBI, 3 hits and a home run in the 22-4 rout in 5 innings over Fox Creek. 

King accounted for a grand slam during a 10-run 5th inning. Thomas also picked up the victory on the mound, allowing 7 hits and 4 runs in the win. 

Four players - Tanner Staton, Jordan Wise, Parker Mergo and Ty Marshal - all contributed 2 RBI in the contest for Brookland-Cayce (7-1, 1-0). 

The Bearcats jumped on the Predators early, sending 11 players up to bat to take a 7-0 lead. 

After King drew a leadoff walk and Micha Shivers was hit by a pitch, Hayden Thomas sent the 1-0 pitch over the leftfield fence to make it 3-0. 

5 of the next 7 batters followed with singles, with Parker Mergo, Wise and King credited with RBI along with Tanner Staton with a fielder’s choice.

Fox Creek got on the board in the 1st. After reaching with a leadoff single, Peter Adams capitalized off a couple of throwing errors and raced home safely. 

An RBI single by Brayden Peters brought the Predators to within 7-2 in the Bottom 2nd. 

The Bearcats answered with 5 runs in the Top 3rd. King and Ty Marshal had RBI doubles, Thomas drove in his 4th run with a single and Brookland-Cayce capitalized off 2 Fox Creek throwing errors.

The Predators picked up 2 runs in the Bottom 4th on RBI fielder’s choices by Peters and Zack Toole. Brookland-Cayce answered by sending 15 batters to the plate, collecting 6 hits and 3 hit batsmen and highlighted by King’s grand slam.

The 2 teams meet again Thursday. 

Gray Collegiate 3, Batesburg-Leesville 1

Brent Stukes struck out 14 batters and a 5th inning rally helped lift the War Eagles to victory in the Region 3-2A opener.

Gavid Creede and Callen Begley both had RBI walks and Zach Ebert followed with an RBI single during the comeback for Gray Collegiate (7-2, 1-0). 

Cole Price had 2 hits for the Panthers (6-3, 0-1). The 2 teams meet again Friday. 

SOFTBALL

Gilbert 30, Orangeburg-Wilkinson 0 (3 innings)

Amaya Kearse and Taylor Branham combined to allow no hits in the Region 5-3A victory.

Leah Kearse, Tara Dorgan, Ayden Leaphart, Abbie Marlowe, Gracie Floyd all had hits for the unbeaten Lady Indians (7-0, 1-0). The 2 teams meet again Thursday at Gilbert. 

Gray Collegiate 8, Batesburg-Leesville 4

Taylor Corley and MJ Straddinger each had 2 hits and 2 RBI for the Lady Eagles in their Region 3-2A victory.

Corley also struck out 10 batters to pick the victory on the mound.

Jaymie Schaffer, Maggie Williams and Amie Johnson all had 2 hits each for the Lady Panthers (0-4, 0-1). 

The 2 teams meet again Thursday at Midlands Sports Complex in West Columbia. 

GIRLS SOCCER 

River Bluff 4, Chapin 3 

Alanna Colbert scored 3 goals as top-ranked River Bluff (8-0, 3-0) stayed undefeated on the season. 

After Chapin took a 1-0 lead in the 1st 5 minutes, Colbert answered with a goal with 5 minutes left in the 1st half off a Alyssa Mullennax assist. 

It was Colbert with the assist to Mullennax for a goal 3 minutes into the 2nd half to put the Lady Gators up 2-1. Chapin answered with a goal 2 minutes later to tie the match.

At the 62-minute mark of the match, Colbert scored off a Lucy Cartin pass to put River Bluff on top. A couple of minutes left, Colbert scored off a penalty kick to finish with the “hat trick” and provide late insurance for the Lady Gators. 

River Bluff returns to action April 13 at home against archrival Lexington. Chapin (6-4, 1-2) plays host to Lexington on Friday.

Lexington 4, Dutch Fork 0 

Hannah Grace Waters, Kiley McIIravy and Logan Kitts all scored in the 1st half for the Lady Wildcats.

Lily Bradenburg and Maggie Heffernan accounted for the 2nd half goals for Lexington (8-4, 2-1), who play host to Chapin Friday. Dutch Fork (2-6, 0-3) returns to action April 13 versus White Knoll. 

Brookland-Cayce 2, Fox Creek 1 (OT) 

Gray Collegiate 6, Eau Claire 0 

BOYS SOCCER

Lexington 4, Dutch Fork 0 

The 4th ranked Wildcats travel to top-ranked Chapin, while the Silver Foxes (3-4, 1-3) return to action April 13 versus White Knoll. 

River Bluff/Chapin postponed

The boys’ matchup between top-ranked Chapin and 3rd ranked River Bluff originally scheduled for Tuesday was moved to April 29 at Cecil Woolbright Field.

Gray Collegiate 9, Eau Claire 0