MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The John Milledge Lady Trojans (7-6) could never get the bats going Tuesday against the formidable visiting Westfield Lady Hornets. 

The home team ran into one of, if not the best, pitcher in the state as Westfield came away with the 5-0 win in Milledgeville.

JMA sophomore Brayden Latimer surrendered a leadoff walk to Westfield catcher Ellie Williams in the top of the first. Williams stole second and made it home on a sacrifice bunt as the Lady Trojans committed an error getting the batter out. 

The early Westfield run put the onus on the home team to answer. Unfortunately for the home team, they were unable to time up stud sophomore pitcher Emma Williams as she tallied two of her 12 strikeouts against the Lady Trojans in the bottom of the first. 

When asked about his team’s performance against Westfield’s pitcher, Lady Trojans head coach Andy Bonifay said, “Realize when you are facing a pitcher like that you got to find other ways to get on base. You’re not going to be able to treat that at-bat like you are facing an average pitcher. She’s the best we will see all year.” 

Westfield kept the pressure on in the second inning as they chipped away at the Lady Trojan defense with bunts and aggressive baserunning. Entering the bottom of the second inning down 2-0, the Lady Trojans were again unable to get much past Westfield’s Williams. 

In the third, two Lady Hornets batters reached after being hit by pitches, and a triple by Westfield’s Avery Adams brought those batters in to place the Lady Trojans in a 4-0 hole. 

The top of the fourth saw Westfield add their final run via a double from Sadie Hayes and a single from Emma Williams. 

The bottom of the third and fourth innings saw the Lady Trojans go three up and three down as the excellent pitching by Westfield’s Williams continued to control the tempo and rhythm of the game. 

Westfield’s Emma Williams finished the game with 12 strikeouts while only surrendering three hits.

“Offensively we were just outmatched,” Bonifay said of Williams’ performance. “That’s the best pitcher in the state and she is as advertised.”

The Lady Trojans of John Milledge look to rebound Thursday against Loganville Christian at home. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.