The Johns Creek Lady Gladiators' 12-game winning streak is over.
The Gladiators fell 5-3 to the Milton Eagles on the road Tuesday, Sept. 8, collecting nine hits but failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout the game. It was Johns Creek's first loss since early August, snapping a run that had defined the team's season.
Reese Stiltner led the offense with a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the plate, but her effort was not enough. Five other Gladiators recorded hits: senior Zelda Arthur, Allie Lafon, Uma Pittman, Avery Huffman and Isla Wells. The lineup consistently put runners on base but left them stranded, according to a Johns Creek Athletics game recap.
Sophomore Uma Pittman took the loss in the circle. The final score was 5-3.
Stiltner's big night at Milton was no fluke. She also led the offense in a 5-1 win over Norcross on Aug. 24 with two hits and two RBIs. That victory improved the Gladiators to 10-2 overall.
The streak grew from there. Johns Creek beat Roswell 3-2 on Sept. 1 for the team's first region win. Pittman dominated in that game, allowing one infield single, striking out six and driving in a run. The next day, the Gladiators routed Sprayberry 15-1 on Wednesday, Sept. 2, with sophomore Swara Khatri tossing a complete game. Khatri allowed two hits, struck out four and added two hits and two RBIs at the plate. That win pushed the record to 13-2 and the streak to 10 games.
One more victory followed before Tuesday's loss at Milton: a 16-0 rout of Gainesville on Thursday, Sept. 3, in which Pittman threw a no-hitter with five strikeouts and two walks and the Gladiators piled up 13 hits, pushing the record to 14-2.
Head coach Jim Ernst's squad now turns to a region matchup against Riverwood at home Thursday, Sept. 10, at 6:30 p.m. The Gladiators then travel to Lanier on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6:30 p.m. and visit Roswell on Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
