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Two home runs, including a grand slam off the bat of Rylea Nelms, powered the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Lady Saints past Great Bridge 8-4 on Tuesday.

Ellie Benes opened the scoring with a blast of her home in the bottom of the second inning. Great Bridge pulled ahead 2-1 on a Hannah Ferrell triple in the top of the third inning. Benes stepped up again in the bottom half of the third with a two-run scoring single, giving NSA the 3-2 advantage, only to see Great Bridge regain the edge after an Aubrey Stecklin double scored two runs.

Then, in the bottom of the fifth, Nelms powered a shot over the centerfield fence for a grand slam that proved to be the game-deciding hit.

Marin McGowan and Addy Smith combined for the win on the mound, with Smith picking up the win for the Saints. McGowan continued to sit batters down, adding 7 more strikeouts, bringing her 2024 total to 26 K’s in just three games.

The Lady Saints move to 2-0-1 and hit the road to take on Atlantic Shores Christian School on Thursday, March 21. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.