LEXINGTON, S.C. – What their games lack in drama they sure make up for with consistency.

The Wardlaw Academy Lady Patriots were not scored upon in three state tournament games and captured the team’s sixth consecutive SCISA Class A softball crown Saturday via an 11-0 shutout of Jefferson Davis Academy of Blackville in four innings at the Pine Grove Softball Complex.

“It’s just about giving 110-percent out there on every play and that’s what they do,” said Wardlaw Academy head coach Ron Conley. “That’s the only way they know how to play. To go unscored upon in three years at state is just a testament to this team’s work ethic. We played without two starters in the tournament and the people on the bench stepped up and did what they were supposed to do. That’s what it takes.”

The Lady Raiders actually threatened to score the first run on Wardlaw in three years of state tournament play in the top of the second when leadoff hitter Casey Owens reached second base on an error. Anna Griffin reached base on an infield single and the Lady raiders appeared to be in business with runners on with no outs.

But Wardlaw ace pitcher Skylar Eargle – who is just a junior – slammed the door on the rally and the bottom of the JDA batting order by sitting down the next three hitters on strikes.

The Lady Patriots responded in the bottom of the inning with the bottom of their order, which produced much different results. Senior Amanda Burkhalter led off with a single and Kara Beck reached on an error before Britnee Goldman singled in Burkhalter with the eventual winning run off of JDA starter Caitlin Still.

Five more runs would cross the plate after another JDA error and a single from Chelsea Holmes and a big double by Kinsey Parrish for an early 6-0 cushion and all the room the Lady Patriots would need to capture another championship trophy.

Standout senior Gina Easler’s big bat was kept quiet the entire game after intentional walks, but still enjoyed her last trip around the bases for Wardlaw before taking her game to the next level at Coker.

“I wanted to get a hit in my last at-bat, but they didn’t let me (hit),” she said. “It’s sad knowing this was the last game that all of us are going to play together because we’re all like sisters, but I’ll leave here knowing what it felt like to be victorious.”

The Lady Patriots blankeded Clarendon Hall 14-0 on Friday evening to open the tournament before handing JDA a 15-0 defeat on Saturday morning.

Wardlaw ends the season with a record of 21-5.