- November 25, 2024
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With a tough schedule to begin the season, Flagler Palm Coast softball coach Ed Beckett knew things weren’t going to be easy. But as his team continues to gel, things are starting to come together.
That was the case Tuesday night, when FPC took an early 1-0 and went on to upend Sandalwood, 4-1, in a District 1-8A showdown. Starting pitcher Gabby Maynard and third baseman Breanna Bleckledge led the charge.
FPC (5-5) scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second when center fielder Gabby Cochran smoked a ball into right-center field that tipped off the glove of the Sandalwood right fielder, allowing Cochran to motor all the way around to third with one out. Tori Giaconne later grounded out to second base, plating Cochran.
In the bottom of the fourth and with a runner on third, Blackledge, a sophomore, launched a two-run home run to right-center to stake FPC to a 3-0 lead. It was Blackledge’s first homer of the season.
It wasn’t until the sixth inning when Sandalwood scored its only run. The Lady Saints hit a one-out triple and the runner later scored on a wild pitch.
FPC scored one more run in the sixth when Maynard singled to right field with the bases loaded.
Maynard struck out the final two batters looking to end the game, giving FPC its fourth straight win to climb back to .500.
Maynard lasted seven innings, tallying four strikeouts and allowing just one run on three hits. Blackledge finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Cochran also went 2-for-3.
“We still have some things we need to work on,” FPC coach Ed Beckett said after the game. “For the most part, we played error-free ball.”
Beckett also had high praise for his starting pitcher. “I think tonight was (Maynard’s) best game,” he said. “She kept the ball moving up and down, in and out.”
FPC continues district play tonight when it travels to face Mandarin at 6:30 p.m.
“We’re getting better every game, and that’s the goal,” Beckett said.
