No. 15 Kenadi Gideons with a good hit to get to second base. (Robert Taylor|mountolivetribune.com)
The James Kenan softball team delivered a dominant performance against the Kinston Vikings, securing a decisive 17-1 victory. Head coach Craig Armstrong expected his team to play at a high level, and they did just that, executing efficiently on both offense and defense.
James Kenan wasted no time putting runs on the board. In the second inning, Scarlett Deluca crossed home plate to open the scoring. Shortly after, Kenadi Gideons drove in another run with a hit to second base, allowing a teammate to score. Shylah Sloan reached second before Jourdan Joe sent a deep hit—only for it to be caught. On the next play, Sloan was thrown out at third, but James Kenan had already built a commanding lead.
The third inning saw even more offensive firepower. Carmen Mahoney was hit by a pitch and quickly stole second base. Brenda Serrano made contact but hit a pop fly that was caught. Landyn Boone reached first, setting up another scoring opportunity. Mahoney attempted to advance to third, but the Kinston defense reacted quickly, tagging her out. Deluca followed with a hit to first and then stole second while Boone raced home, extending the lead.
James Kenan’s offensive onslaught continued as Kinzely Sloan delivered a hit to second, driving in another run. Gideons followed with another key hit, bringing in Sloan and advancing herself to second. Joe added to the rally with a single that loaded the bases. The Vikings managed to tag out Gideons at third on a close play, but by then, James Kenan had widened the gap significantly.
Defensively, James Kenan remained sharp. Sloan took the mound in the third inning and walked her first batter but quickly settled in, striking out the next two. An error allowed Kinston to score its only run, but the defense bounced back with a heads-up play at third, catching a runner before she could advance. Another key moment came when James Kenan trapped a runner between second and third, eventually tagging her out to end the inning.
One of the game’s biggest highlights came when Kierra Williams crushed a grand slam, cementing James Kenan’s dominance. Coach Armstrong praised his team’s discipline and execution, crediting their focus for the lopsided victory.
Standout performances came from Sloan, Serrano, Joe, and Gideons, who contributed on both sides of the field. With this win, James Kenan strengthens its position in the conference standings, setting up a strong push for the postseason.
