MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The Baldwin Bravettes (8-1) have lit up the competition since losing their 2018 season opener.

The team has rattled off eight wins in a row with its most recent victory coming Thursday when the Bravettes hosted the Academy of Richmond County (ARC).

The game only spanned the course of a few innings, and despite early offense from the opposition, the Bravettes wound up on top via the eight-run rule in the fourth inning, winning 16-8.

In the top of the first, a leadoff walk for the Musketeers put a baserunner on and with two stolen bases she was at third. A single scored the run and gave ARC the quick 1-0 lead. 

Another walk put more on the basepaths before a triple cleared the infield and the runners. 

A wild pitch allowed another run to cross home plate, setting the lead at 4-0 for the visitors from the Augusta area.

The Bravettes’ head coach opted to put a new arm on the mound and called upon senior hurler Courtney Thomas. Although it took a walk to get warmed up, the Baldwin pitcher retired the next three batters she faced and ended the inning. 

The home offense grabbed its bats, and a leadoff single by Aaliyah Taylor got the momentum back in Bravettes’ favor. Two stolen bases on subsequent pitches moved her over to third before a wild pitch allowed her to steal home and cut the margin to three runs almost singlehandedly. 

Thomas helped her own cause when she stepped up to the plate and slapped a triple to the fence in opposite field, bringing the confidence gained on the mound to the plate. 

Another wild pitch scored the runner from third. After a walk and an infield hit, Miranda Brett ripped an RBI single through the right side gap of the diamond and set the lead at just one run. 

Baldwin continued the rally as another batter worked the count full before walking, and an HBP walked in a run, and yet another walk gave the Bravettes the lead at 5-4.

Three wild pitches in a row brought three Baldwin runners across the plate before another bases-loaded situation arose. Once again, a wild pitch set the score at 9-4 prior to the inning ending with a set of pop outs and a groundout. 

The Lady Musketeers leadoff hitter beat out an infield single before advancing to second on an errant throw and two wild pitches allowed for the runner to advance to third and then steal home to shorten the Baldwin lead. 

Thomas remained steadfast in the pitchers’ circle, retiring the side with a pair of groundouts and a strikeout.

With the score set at 9-6, the Bravettes looked to add to the lead during their offensive half of the inning. 

The Musketeer pitcher struggled with control as she hit the next BHS batter and another free pass brought a run across the plate.

Taylor stepped up and singled to drive in two more runs to set the lead at 12-6. Two subsequent wild pitches crossed two more runs. 

Thomas entered batter’s box once again before connecting with a single to left. Two more overthrown pitches bounced away from the catcher and another two runs scored to set the margin now at 16-6 before the inning ended.

Thomas returned to the mound to start the third. A walk put a runner on, but the home pitcher remained unshaken to force a groundout and a strikeout by the next two batters faced. 

A Lady Musketeer single scored the walked batter, and a wild pitch scored another run, but a strikeout ended the inning with the eight-run lead still intact, 16-8.

The Bravettes weren’t able to add insurance runs to their lead in the bottom half of the inning but held the ARC offense at bay in the top of the fourth to get the season sweep of the Lady Musketeers at home.

Baldwin softball will try to continue its winning ways on the road today with another region matchup against Thomson. The Bravettes will welcome Thomson to town Thursday with first pitch set for 5 p.m.