After four innings of slow action, Abby Gardner blasted a line drive to centerfield, driving in two runs and giving the Lady Cats the push they needed to beat Cairo 4-2 Wednesday night.

Bainbridge (2-0), scored another two runs in the fifth inning when Makayla Hamilton bunted into a fielder’s choice, plating Keyleigh Brinson. Gardner then scored on an error, and Bainbridge was up 4-0.

The Lady Cats smashed a small rally by the Lady Makers in the sixth inning, thanks to strong relief pitching from Gardner and a quick defense behind her.

The evening started with a little bit of rain that cancelled the J.V. game and threatened to postpone the varsity game. Coach Christopher Bryant said his players didn’t mind any delay—they just wanted to play, and win.

“We’ve wanted to beat Cairo since last year,” said Bryant. “And today with the rain, their comment was, Coach, we have work to do. Get our field dry, we’re playing tonight and we don’t care if it’s midnight. That’s what we did, and we showed up and showed out.”

Lexie Delbrey started in the circle for the Lady Cats and kept Cairo at bay through five innings. She struck out 12 batters, allowed two earned runs and three hits. She only walked three times. Gardner pitched 1.2 innings and struck out three.

Desirae Beachem and Abby Gardner both went 1-for-3 at the plate with a run scored. McKynleigh Harrell, Gardner, Halle Cannon, Anna Beth Bibby and Thyra Jackson all recorded a hit.

“You couldn’t ask for a better team effort tonight,” said Bryant. “We are excited to see where it takes us. If they keep playing like this, it’ll be a fun ride.”