The West Lincoln Middle School Chiefs are back-to-back champions in middle school softball. They defeated Rutherfordton-Spindale Middle School 2-0 for their twelfth win without a loss.  R-S pitcher Olivia Harris and West Lincoln’s Gabby Wright each tossed outstanding games for their teams with the game remaining scoreless through four-and-a-half innings.
     West Lincoln scored in the bottom of the 5th. Lilly Sain had a leadoff double and moved to 3rd on a sacrifice bunt from Kaylee Albano; then scored on a triple off of the bat of Payton Hood. Hood scored when the next batter, Danilyn Lewis, single--giving West the 2-0 lead that became the final score. 

     R-S pitcher Olivia Harris singled in the 6th, but did not advance. The Knights went down in order in the top of the 7th as West Lincoln pitcher Gabby Wright struck out 2 of the 3 batters she faced.  For the game, Wright gave up only 3 hits and struck out 5.  At the plate, West got doubles from Lilly Sain, Kaylee Albano, and Kennedy McCumber. Payton Hood had that triple with one rbi and Danilyn Lewis went 3 for 3 with an rbi.

     The West Lincoln Middle School team was coached by Allan Chapman and his assistant coaches were Travis Sutton and Kelton Towery.  The 2022 West Lincoln team finished the season with an undefeated record of 12-0. The 8th graders on the team finished their three-year run with a cumulative record of 29-3 playing in the conference championship game all three years earning one runner up trophy and two consecutive championships.