Landrum defeated visiting Central, 8-2, in the Cardinals’ second round of state AA playoff action on Saturday evening, April 29. Striving to constantly improve and eliminate potential soft spots, Cardinal head coach Casey Smith was a gracious winner, noting that the team usually enjoys a big inning (this time it was a five-run third), but she admitted that her team must “tune up a few things,” including better judging of balls in the outfield. The Cards’ Sarah Price extended her hitting streak to 78 games with a hard first-inning single. Here, Cardinal freshman Alexus Atkins (#9) scores one of three runs that came in on Ellen Boatwright’s looping single to left with the bases full in the home third. Between their two state tournament wins, the Cardinals defeated Clover, 4-1, in a non-tournament game. In that one, Landrum’s Emily Carter smashed a home run. Next action for the Cards is expected to be Wednesday, May 3, when they take on either Central, or the winner of the Abbeville/Fox Creek game. Caitlyn Cox earned the mound win for Landrum, with Atkins taking over late in the game. (Photo by Mark Schmerling)