MOULTRIE – Coming off the Lowndes experience of one week ago, Colquitt County High softball returned to the Packer Park diamond for Senior Night Tuesday.

It was a sophomore, Jade Horne, pitching the complete-game shutout with offensive help from all three seniors, the final score 7-0.

Improving the overall record to 10-11, Colquitt County and head coach Chance Pitts play today at Tift County High. This doubleheader is the last games for Region 1-7A in the regular season, but Colquitt (2-2 in region) looks secure for second place in the final standings.

Camden County is also 2-2 in region but must face that same Lowndes team in two games this week. Colquitt swept Camden.

Last season at home vs. Tift County, the Packers slipped in the first game and wound up splitting with the Lady Blue Devils.

“If we go and have our intensity and are awake at the plate like we were (Tuesday), we will take care of business for sure,” said Pitts. “We are still going to have to play. It’s not going to be a walkover. Nothing’s been easy this year, but it shouldn’t be. We should have to earn everything, and we have.”

Pitching against a state runner-up from 2017 in Cook High, Horne scattered three hits, walked four and fanned five. There were eight Cook baserunners in all, and all were left on base.

“It’s been her M.O. all this year,” said Pitts about Horne. “Anytime I’ve called on her to do something in the circle she’s done a good job.

“Outstanding job by my three seniors. Everyone had a hit and everyone contributed defensively. Outstanding to send them off with a win against a really good team in Cook. I have to throw a shout out to my manager Jenna Hall.”

Jami Kling, Kayla Sanchez and Kelli Johnson are the senior players and they comprised the outfield Tuesday. Johnson’s appearance was important because she left Game 1 of the Lowndes DH last week with an injured knee.

“I think it was just a slight sprain,” said Pitts. “I would have to chain her to the dugout to keep her off the field. She did a great job at the plate like she’s done all year.”

Johnson and Sanchez each had two hits as did Abeny Thomas in the designated player role. Thomas also reached on an error with two outs in the home first. Marlie Wingate was hit by a pitch to bring up Abby Plymel, who drove both in on a flare hit.

The big Packer inning was the home second with five runs, and Kling led off with a single followed by Sanchez’ first hit. Horne and Johnson batted each of them home.

Kelsey Patel bunted the Packers still on base into scoring position, and Thomas’ first single plated those runs. Plymel earned her third RBI to complete the night’s scoring at 7-0.

The Packers had four more hits the rest of the way, but Horne did not allow a safety until the top of the fifth.

Two Cook runners reached on walks in the first but did not score as Kylie Davis, the shortstop, made a long run to catch a foul ball. Sanchez was in centerfield and made an over-the-shoulder grab in the third inning. Plymel, at third base, snagged a jam shot coming towards home after a one-out double in the sixth.

The big game in the field was from Patel, making a return to second base. She also covered some distance to get a foul ball in the fifth and was four-for-four on groundball chances.