Region 5-5A has produced the last 2 S.C. High School League Class 5A state sofball champions. 
On Tuesday, current titleholder Lexington played host to former champion White Knoll in the region opener for both teams.
Getting a pair of 2-run homers from Ashley Causey and a 2-hitter from Arkansas-bound senior pitcher Allie Light, the Lady Wildcats defeated the Lady Timberwolves 7-0. 
The win snapped an 8-game losing streak to White Knoll dating back to April 2016 for Lexington. 
"It was super important," said Causey about ending the skid to the Lady Timberwolves. "Never done it before. I was proud of everyone."
Lady Wildcats' head coach Laurie Epps, however, was more focused on the importance for region play.
"It's the 1st region win of 2020 and that's what we came out here with the mindset of, that this was a region game and every region game is important," she said. "They came out and they played today."
Causey gave Lexington a confidence boost in the bottom 1st. With Perri Rouillard on 1st after getting hit by a pitch, Causey sent Marlena Parez' offering over the leftfield wall to give the Lady Wildcats a 2-0 lead.
"Always playing (White Knoll), there's a lot of nerves," Causey said. "So I think that just helped everyone settle down a little bit."
It was all the offense needed by the Lady Wildcats. Light allowed just 3 baserunners with just 1 walk the entire game and finished with 9 strikeouts.
Working in Lexington's favor as well were 4 White Knoll errors. Sarah Gordon hit a double on which Alyssa Mccraw scored after an errant throw. 
In the bottom 6th, Gordon had her 3rd hit of the game on an RBI single. She then scored on a pop fly by Rouillard that was dropped in centerfield for an error.
Causey proceeded to clear the bases with her 2nd 2-run homer, this time over the centerfield wall.
After giving up a 1-out double to Alexis Winters in the Top 7th, Light got Ashlee Burkett to pop out and fanned Abby Gates to end the game.
Lexington plays host to Cardinal Newman Thursday. White Knoll plays host to Lugoff-Elgin on March 16.

Chapin 10, Dutch Fork 0 
Leah Cabe drove in 3 RBI and struck out 10 on the mound as the Lady Eagles pulled out the Region 5-5A win.
Gracie Derrick and Dallas Mayers each had 3 hits for Chapin, which travels to Spring Valley Wednesday.

Batesburg-Leesville 4, Gilbert 3
Kiara Quattlebaum had 2 hits and she, Kaya Patterson and Ryanne Yarborough all drove in runs for the Lady Panthers in the win.
Secadia Jackson scored a run for Batesburg-Leesville. 
Taylor Dreher had 2 hits and drove in 2 runs and Madison Pride scored a run in defeat.

Edisto 1, Pelion 0
Despite 12 strikeouts by Lakyn Phillips, the Lady Panthers fell in Region 5-3A play.

North Augusta 19, Brookland-Cayce 0