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By Brian Pitts

Enterprise Record

In the short and forgettable 2020 season, Davie’s softball team spiraled straight downward (0-7 record). A year later, the War Eagles are flying north.

They battered host Glenn 19-1 in five innings on March 23, continuing a massively encouraging start. Davie left Kernersville 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Central Piedmont Conference, the first 3-0 start since 2017.

“This team reminds you of the group of Makenzie Smith, K’lea Parks, McKenzie Barneycastle and all of them from a few years ago,” said second-year coach Morgan Wyatt, who senses a unique team chemistry. “They’ve played together since they were little. They love the game.”

The Dirks sisters were dropping jaws at the plate. The No. 3 batter, sophomore Sydney, went 3 for 3 with a double, a triple, a home run and five RBIs. London’s line mirrored her younger sister’s. The junior cleanup batter went 3 for 4 with a double, a triple, a homer and six RBIs. Both barely missed hitting for the cycle; a single is all they lacked.

Sydney’s numbers through three games are astounding. She is 8 for 10 (.800) with nine runs, three doubles, two homers and 12 RBIs.

“Last year, even with the shortened season, she was at the top of the leaderboard on offensive stats as a freshman,” Wyatt said. “She’s definitely doing well at the plate, and she’s starting to find her groove at second base.”

London’s three-game stats are gaudy as well. She’s 6 for 9 with nine runs, three doubles, two homers, 13 RBIs, four walks and three stolen bases.

“I definitely expected it out of her, especially knowing that she’s verbally committed to UNC Charlotte,” Wyatt said. “The expectations were high for her as a freshman, and in the shortened season last year, she wasn’t able to fully get into her groove.”

Summer Simpson, who batted behind London, went 3 for 4 with a triple and two RBIs against Glenn, and the sophomore is 6 for 11 with two walks for the season.

“She’s one of those that wants to be out there all the time,” Wyatt said. “Her home run against East Surry was her first one ever. When I say she’s been hitting them like that in practice, she’s cleared the scoreboard several times. So it’s only a matter of time for all the work they’ve put in to pay off.”

Davie got two hits from Bailey Snow (2-4, walk) and Leah Grimes (2-4, triple). Karley Queen walked twice as Davie collected 15 hits and seven walks.

The winning pitcher was Addison Hendrix, who worked two scoreless innings. Kaylyn Nuckols earned the save by throwing the final three innings.

The Bobcats, who have been outscored 42-4 by East Surry, Ledford and Davie, tumbled to 0-3 overall.