FT. WALTON BEACH, FL — In the first spring break trip to Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. since 2019, the Northmont fastpitch softball team opened with a 4-1 victory over Morristown Hamblen West (Tennessee) in a 9 a.m. game at Hood Field.

Sam McGilton hit a double with two RBIs, Jadyn Johnson had one hit and one RBI, Zoey Hodge had a double, Cardie McCormick hit a triple and Emily Bole had one hit and one RBI to lead the Northmont attack.

Hodge pitched five innings and faced 22 batters. She gave up four hits, one run, struck out four and issued two walks. Johnson pitched the final two innings and allowed no hits, no runs and struck out three with two walks.

Later that day during a 4 p.m. game, the Lady Bolts suffered a 17-6 loss to Ft. Walton Beach High School. Ft. Walton took a 10-0 first inning lead.

Northmont scored four runs in the top of the third and two more in the top of the fourth. The Lady Bolts committed four errors in the loss and surrendered 13 hits.

Tuesday’s game against Milton (Florida) was cancelled.

On Wednesday the Lady Bolts bounced back with a 12-2 victory over Choctawhatchee (Florida) Senior High. Northmont scored three in the third, three in the fifth, five in the sixth and one run in the top of the seventh.

Both of Choctawhatchee’s runs were scored in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Leading the Lady Bolts offense were Emma Smith who went 3-for-4 and Zoey Hodge who went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs. Morgan Pendleton and Sydney Strickland added two hits apiece.

Hodge pitched five innings and gave up three hits with six strikeouts. Jadyn Johnson pitched the final two innings striking out three while allowing only two hits.

Thursday the Lady Bolts played two games, the first at 11 a.m. that resulted in a 3-1 loss to Olentangy (Mississippi) High School.

At 5 p.m. Northmont closed out the spring break trip with a 15-0 victory over Washington County.

Leading the team was Sydney Strickland (3-for-3), Emma Smith (3-for-3), Jadyn Johnson (3-for-3), Lacie Knick (2-for-3 with two triples), and Cardie McCormick (1-for-2 with a double).

On the mound was Jadyn Johnson who pitched three innings allowing no runs, one hit, no walks, and three strikeouts.

The Lady Bolts return to Ohio and begin regular season play on April 3.

Reach Ron Nunnari at [email protected].