LASKER – Ridgecroft School scored six runs in the top of the first frame and never looked back.

The Lady Rams’ softball squad surrendered four in the bottom of the inning, but Northeast Academy couldn’t get closer than that two-run deficit as Ridgecroft won 21-9 here March 24.

Emily Grace, a seventh grader, got her first start on the mound and pitched a complete game while striking out four for Ridgecroft. At the plate, she was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

“Our defense was not errorless, but we are young and are still working hard to improve,” Ridgecroft skipper Nichole Hughes said. “I was impressed we were able to put runs on the board and keep the ball in play.

“I was most impressed by our young pitching performance and how, no matter what was going on in the field, she was calm and cool and just put the ball across the plate,” she added.

Ridgecroft scored six in the top of the first and four in the top of the second to take a 10-4 lead before Northeast added another mark in the bottom of the second to close the gap to 10-5.

The score remained deadlocked until the fourth frame, where Ridgecroft plated six runs. Northeast added another four in the home half of the fourth to cut the deficit to 16-9.

The Lady Rams closed out the game with five runs in the top of the fifth, securing the victory.

Dana Vann was 2-for-4 at the plate for the Lady Rams with a single and double. Nikki Smith went 1-for-3, but had three RBIs in the contest. Mary-Kate Morris and Lauren Colson each checked in at 1-for-5 while Bailey Vann was 1-for-4.

Ridgecroft improved to 5-1 for the season and to 3-1 inside the Tarheel Independent Conference.