PAINTSVILLE – South Floyd cruised past Betsy Layne on Wednesday in the opening round of the 15th Region All “A” Classic softball tournament. South Floyd senior pitcher Ada Gayheart allowed only one hit and registered 15 strikeouts as the Lady Raiders blanked Betsy Layne 10-0 in five innings.

South Floyd, dominant in the early-half of the 2011 season, improved to 3-0. Gayheart and the Lady Raiders have yet to allow a run. In its three wins, South Floyd has outscored its opponents a combined 39-0.

Betsy Layne dropped to 0-3 following the loss.

The Lady Raiders plated one run in the top half of the fifth inning. South Floyd didn’t score during its second plate appearance but pushed across two runs in the third inning.

The Lady Raiders remained in control throughout the matchup, scoring two more runs in the fourth inning. South Floyd forced the KHSAA (Kentucky High School Athletic Association) 10-Run Mercy Rule to go into effect in the fifth inning by scoring five runs.

Helping her cause at the plate, Gayheart reached base four times. Gayheart was 3-for-3. She delivered three singles and also walked once.

South Floyd leadoff hitter Heather Little scored a game-high three runs while connecting for two singles. Little also drew three walks.

Ashley Castle, the number two hitter in the South Floyd batting order, walked and scored twice.

Branda Hamby, batting third for the Lady Raiders, delivered a single and a double.

TJ Tackett doubled for the Ladycats in the first inning. Ultimately, Tackett accounted for Betsy Layne’s only hit in the contest.