Surry Knights softball starting to surge

Surry Community College’s softball team, which began the season with 13 straight losses, is starting to get on a roll in the opposite direction.

The Knights have won seven of their last 10 games, including sweeps of Ferrum College, Stanly Community College and Wake Tech over the past couple of weeks.

Surry split with Patrick Henry (8-4 loss and 8-0 win) last Wednesday. After suffering home losses to Spartanburg Methodist on Friday, the Knights made the trip to Raleigh the following day and beat Wake Tech 9-1 and 11-2.

Surry’s record now stands at 12-19 overall and 6-4 against Region X foes.

Knights coach Amber Watson Reid raved about her team’s second game against Patrick Henry last week. After losing a tough opener, the Knights responded by blanking the Patriots 8-0 in five innings. Former Surry Central pitcher Chelsea Craddock threw a complete-game, one-hit shutout. She faced 17 batters and struck out nine.

Heidi Johnson (Mount Airy/Shoemaker HS) hit a grand slam over the centerfield fence in the third inning, also scoring teammates Megan Mabe (Glenn HS), Brittany White (Starmount HS) and Jessica White (Starmount). The long ball marked Johnson’s third homer in a week’s time. Against Ferrum College on March 22, Johnson set a school record by hitting two balls out of the park.

There have only been two grand slams hit in Surry softball history. The first one came off the bat of former East Surry standout Shawn Watson.

Lauren Beaver (North Davidson HS), Mabe and Brittany White hit doubles against Patrick Henry. Chelsea Varner (Starmount HS/Mars Hill) also hit well in the game.

Surry will play again Friday at home against Southeastern Community College. A rematch with Patrick Henry looms for April 11 in Martinsville, Va.

The Knights will serve as the host for the upcoming Region X tournament in May.