On Tuesday, the Richmond Hill Lady Cats made a short trip to Hinesville and got things back on track with a big region win over Liberty County, 5-3. The Cats needed the win to begin their march toward the region playoffs next month.

Melanie Goolsby got things started with a leadoff triple and later scored on a wild pitch. Stephanie Ortiz took the mound for the Cats. Liberty tied the game in the bottom of the first with a RBI double from their pitcher Cassie Standard.

In the third, Goolsby reached on a hit and stole a couple of bases. She then scored on another wild pitch. Liberty took the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the inning after a few walks and a couple of hits. Jenna Reddick took the mound for the Cats in the fourth and preceded to retire 10 of the 13 batters she faced.

In the fifth, Goolsby reached on an error and again, after a couple of stolen bases, managed to tie the game on another wild pitch.

In the sixth, the Cats moved ahead for good when freshmen Lauren Davis doubled over the left fielder and scored when freshman Margaret Goolsby followed with a double to deep center field.

The Cats picked up an insurance run in the seventh when Melanie Goolsby led off with a walk and scored her fourth run of the game on junior Erin Hefner’s double.

The Cats were out-hit by the Panthers seven to nine, but, after being plagued by errors the past few games, the defense stepped up to the challenge, played the game error free, and allowed only three runs off of the nine hits. Melanie Goolsby finished the game 2-3 with four runs. Hefner was 2-3 with a double and an RBI.

Freshmen Davis and Margaret Goolsby both showed Cats fans that a lot of runs are in store for future years with their hard-hit doubles in the game. Reddick was solid in relief and picked up her first win of the season and the first of her varsity career.

The Lady Wildcats are now 1-1 for the region which includes this win and last week’s loss to South Effingham. The Cats’ next test will be a region game against St. Vincent’s on Monday - rescheduled after raining out on Thursday. They then face Bryan County at home on Wednesday in their last non-region game of the year where they are looking to avenge their opening day loss to the Lady Redskins.