POWDER SPRINGS - Hillgrove scored two runs in the first inning and added four more in the fourth, taking control on its way to a 7-4 win over Walton on Tuesday in a non-region game between the two Cobb County teams.

Walton (7-5) had a run each in the first and fourth innings, and two more in the seventh, but it wasn't enough to overcome the fifth-ranked Lady Hawks (7-2-1).

Mikaela Scott (2-0) pitched the first four innings for Hillgrove and then returned to the circle in the top of the seventh inning to retire the final Walton hitter and take the win.

Scott also went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Meredith Heyer was also 2-for-3 for the Lady Hawks.

Hannah Kate Downing (3-3) pitched the first four innings and took the loss for the Lady Raiders.

Walton was led at the plate by Laura Thompson, who was 2-for-4 with one RBI, and Kelsie Hastings, who was also 2-for-4.

The Lady Raiders got on the scoreboard first in the top of the first inning when Thompson's double scored Camilla Gibson.

Maisie Steed led off the bottom of the first for Hillgrove with a single before Brittany Ferrell followed with another single to put runners on first and second.

Steed scored on a groundout by Scott and Ferrell made it home on a wild pitch, giving the Lady Hawks a 2-1 lead.

"We had Maisie leading off the game for us, and she is a good leadoff hitter," Hillgrove coach Jason Campbell said. "She singled and got us going and got a couple of more hits to produce a couple of runs."

Walton had a chance to regain the lead in the top of the fourth when Thompson, Kelly Daniel and Downing each singled to load the bases. Jessica Chester then singled to score Thompson to cut Hillgrove's lead to 3-2.

But with the bases still loaded, Scott struck out Hannah Craig and forced Gibson to fly out to right field, ending the Lady Raiders' rally.

After Abby Akins struck out to lead off the bottom of the fourth for Hillgrove, Kyrsten Miles singled, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch.

Steed walked to put runners on first and third for Hillgrove. Scott then singled to score both Miles and Steed to increase the Lady Hawks' advantage to 5-2.

After Heyer advanced to second on an error, courtesy runner Rachel Jarvis - who was running for Scott - scored on a wild pitch and Alex Guisti doubled to score Heyer to boost Hillgrove's lead to 7-2.

"That fourth inning killed us," Walton coach Stephen Cosgrove said. "We had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the fourth and we could only get one run. Then Hillgrove came up with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to put it away."

Walton closed the gap in the top of the seventh as Gibson bunted a single and Kelsie Hastings hit a bloop single to put runners on first and second. Kacie Hastings doubled to score Gibson and Kelsie Hastings came home when Thompson flied out to right.

Daniel walked to put runners on first and second, but was then out at second on a fielder's choice by Kelly Caudell to end the Lady Raiders' threat and give Hillgrove the win.

Hillgrove will play at North Cobb in a Region 4AAAAA game on Thursday, while Walton will travel to sixth-ranked Etowah for a 5AAAAA contest Tuesday.