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SILER CITY — Missing key players in Logan Gunter, Sophia Murchison and Lilli Hicks brought little problems for Chatham County Post 292 in its 15-5 win over North Wake, Monday night.
Leadoff hitter Jaylee Williams and Calissa Clendenin did more than enough to fill their absence and lift Post 292 to its second consecutive win over North Wake.
Williams recorded a team-high four hits in four at-bats, knocked in two RBIs and scored a team-high three runs herself, being responsible for a third of Chatham County’s run tally. Clendenin was almost an automatic baserunner as she connected for three hits in four at-bats and also recorded a run.
“I was just trying to do my part for the team to get us the win that we needed,” Williams said. “I just slapped and scanned the field, really looking at what we needed and trying to place the ball there. And, it worked.”
For Clendenin, the key was simply just seeing the ball well as it approached the plate. The last time Clendenin recorded three hits in a game was on June 5 when she also went 3-4 from the plate in Post 292’s win over South Wake.
Williams got Chatham County’s Monday night started with a single in the bottom of the first inning that sparked an explosive five-hit inning from Post 292 and ultimately decided the game.
Post 292 took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and didn’t give up the advantage for the rest of the night. Five other Chatham County batters recorded a hit and two of them, Georgia Preddy and Marcy Clark, achieved multiple hits (two each).
On the mound, Chatham County pitcher Sydney Russell didn’t have her best night as she gave up seven hits, five earned runs and a home run in the second inning, but her defense had her back by playing a clean game with zero errors.
After a sixth inning in which Post 292 ran up the score with three runs walked in and two others batted in, Chatham County clinched it ninth win of the season, moving to a 9-2 record.
For a team in its first year of existence, winning nine of its first 11 games is an impressive feat. Prior to its second loss of the season on June 19, Chatham County went on a seven-game win streak in which it scored at least six runs in six games and held opponents under five runs (including two shut outs) six times.
Looking at Post 292’s neighbors in the American Legion side of things, their first season in 2023 after a long absence only amounted to a 6-17 record with two games being its longest win streak.
Considering the players are moving in and out of competition and coming together from different backgrounds, whether it’s different schools, counties or playing levels, Post 292’s cohesiveness and ability to win in various ways makes their season shine even more.
“I feel like everybody wants to play and (play) hard,” Clendenin said. “We want to win, and we don’t want to lose. That’s the main part.”
Said Williams, “For some of us, it’s our last time being able to play. We’ve got some seniors on the team, some rising seniors, and we’re just trying to get as much in as possible.”
Williams, a Chatham Central alum, is coming off her freshman year at App State in which she only appeared in four games. This is her last year to play with the Chatham County Heroes League team as she will age out before next summer.
“Coming back and playing with girls I’ve played with pretty much all my life is really fun,” Williams said. “I’m excited to go back to App, but coming home is just what I needed.”
Chatham County just has three more regular-season games, all against Region 3 opponents to make the most of a last ride for some of its players. After Wednesday’s game against Post 11, Chatham County will host South Wake Monday and North Wake one last time Wednesday.
As of Monday, Post 292 is 5-2 in Region 3 play and sits in second place in the region standings, behind Post 11 (3-1).
The postseason is set to begin on July 29.
“I think all of us click good together as a team,” Williams said. “As long as we can keep that good connection together and just play together as a team, I think we’ll do great.”
