Flying Eagles Struggle to Contain Cleveland’s Offensive Surge

Series Recap: Softball vs. Cleveland CC
04/06/25 | Shaun Schetka

 Cedar Bluff, VA- It was a tough Saturday at home for Southwest Virginia Community College, as the Flying Eagles dropped both games of a doubleheader to a red-hot Cleveland Community College squad, falling 12-0 in Game 1 and 10-0 in Game 2.

Game One: Cleveland’s Big Inning Too Much to Overcome

The first game got away from Southwest in the second inning, when Cleveland put up six runs behind a string of well-placed hits. Christian Beaver and McKenzie Norman each drove in a run before Peyton Whitson delivered the biggest blow—a bases-clearing triple to deep center. A bases-loaded walk made it 6-0 before the Eagles could get out of the inning.

Cleveland added five more in the seventh, stretching the lead beyond reach. The Flying Eagles struggled to get the bats going, managing just three hits—one each from Ciera Skeens, Erin Rasnake, and Reagan McCoy.

Sayge Strange was lights-out in the circle for Cleveland, throwing a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts and just one walk.

Game Two: Another Strong Start Puts Cleveland on Top

Game two followed a similar script. Cleveland struck early with an RBI single from Molly Beam in the second, then added three more in the third—highlighted by Beaver’s two-run double to center.

Cleveland stayed in control the rest of the way, collecting 16 hits and putting pressure on the base paths with six stolen bases. Jaylen Ledbetter led the charge at the plate, going 3-for-4, while Beaver, Warlick, Dixon, Strange, and Swink all turned in multi-hit efforts.

Beaver also dominated on the mound, tossing a complete-game shutout while striking out 11 without issuing a single walk.

Macie Adkins, Reagan McCoy, and Kimber Amos each had a hit for the Flying Eagles, who played clean defense and turned two double plays in the loss.

What’s Next

SWCC will look to regroup and bounce back on Wednesday when they step out of Region 10 play and travel to Johnson & Wales for a doubleheader. Game One is slated to begin at 3:00 PM.