
Junior Hannah Holden
(Villa Rica, GA) — Heard County fans that made the trip to Villa Rica High School Thursday evening were treated to a fun night of softball as the Lady Braves scored an exciting 12-10 win over the Wildcats in the 2018 season opener.
The impact of the talented young freshmen players was felt immediately with big offensive performances from third
baseman Janiyah Strong, shortstop Emma Helton, and Mackenzie White who came up with three hits off the bench.

Janiyah Strong had 2 HR’s in Thursday’s 12-10 win at Villa Rica
Strong made a huge statement in her first ever varsity action blasting two homers including the game winning 2-run bomb in the top of the seventh to break a 10-10 tie.
Helton and junior Hannah Holden went deep back-to-back for each of their first varsity homers as well.
White’s three hits coming from the bench showed early on that the depth of Coach Matt Hornsby’s squad will be a big key for the team moving forward in the season.
The Lady Braves had 16 hits on the night with eight coming via the freshmen.
“We definitely have a good mix of talent this year and so far they seem to be on the same page which is what we want,” says Hornbsy.
On the mound, senior Haley Bennett started and tossed five plus innings before handing it over to junior Katelyn Jiles in the sixth. Jiles earned her first win of the season.

Freshman Emma Helton
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