For the Marlboro County High softball team the victory was worth the wait.
The MCHS girls had to wait nearly two weeks to lock up the region championship, after the season was put on pause due to COVID-19. However, on Monday, in their first game back, the Lady Bulldogs defeated Camden 13-8, sealing their first region championship since 2011.
The Bulldogs improved to 8-0 in region contests by jumping out early and taking advantage of seven Camden errors.
Destani Barfield and Mackenzie Kubas scored on a single by Harley Oxendine in the top of the first, giving Marlboro an early lead.
Camden got on the board with a run in the bottom of the inning but Marlboro answered by blowing the game open in the second. Tatyainna Poe led off with a single, stole second and third and raced home on a single by Leah Benjamin.
Amir Bridges later scored on a bases-loaded walk by Kubas. Ramzee Williams smashed a double that drove in Destani Barfield and Abby Quick. Kubas scored on a ball put in play by Oxendine.
Camden began creeping back into the game with one run in the second, third, and fourth innings, making the score 7-4.
Marlboro again made their advantage six runs by scoring three times in the fifth. A defensive error by Camden allowed Oxendine and Bailey Barfield to score on a ball put in play by Bridges.
Another error allowed Bridges to score moments later.
Marlboro returned the favor in the bottom of the inning when an error led to two Camden runs scoring.
Camden cut the lead to 10-8 with two runs in the sixth. Marlboro put the game away with three runs in the top of the seventh.
After an error led to Bridges reaching base, Destani Barfield drove her home with a single. Quick singled to drive in Barfield. Quick scored on a ball hit by Kubas.
Kubas then sealed the game in the bottom of the seventh by striking out the last two Camden batters.
Oxendine, Poe, Williams, Kubas and Destani Barfield each had two hits in the game. Williams and Oxendine had two RBIs. Camden committed seven errors in the contest.
Kubas pitched all three innings, striking out 11, while allowing 10 hits and 2 walks.
The Lady Bulldogs took a victory lap at Rotary Field Tuesday night by cruising past Lake City, 13-5.
Marlboro got three runs in the bottom of the first to take the early lead. Destani Barfield and Quick opened the game with back-to-back singles. Kubas drove them in with a double. She later scored on a ball hit by Williams.
Bridges added a run in the second and Bailey Barfield, Leann Hodge and Benjamin scored in the third to make it 7-0.
The Panthers got on the board with three runs in the top of the fourth. However, the Bulldogs were never challenged, as they continued to pull away.
They got three runs in the bottom of the fourth and three more in the sixth.
Williams was 3 for 4 as was Bailey Barfield.
Baley Britt pitched all seven innings, celebrating senior night with nine strikeouts.
After the game, the team was treated to a fireworks display by their supporters.
The team was scheduled to host Camden Wednesday in the regular season finale, but due to rain it was canceled. Since it has no bearing on the final standings, it will not be made up.
The Lady Bulldogs will open the Class AAA state tournament by hosting Swansea, the second place team in Region 5-AAA. on Saturday. If victorious, they will face the winner of the Hanahan – Aynor game on Monday. If the Bulldogs fall to Swansea, they would play the loser of the Hanahan – Aynor contest in an elimination game.