From Staff Reports
KEYSER, W.Va. — Keyser rallied for two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to come back from a two-run deficit in a well-pitched game for both sides, to defeat Petersburg, 3-2, in the West Virginia Class AA Region 2 softball semifinal Thursday at Keyser.
Having taken a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and third, Petersburg, behind the pitching of sophomore Whitney Lough, was six outs before the Golden Tornado rallied to tie the score in the sixth
Freshman pitcher Meghan Anderson led off by doubling off the right-center field fence, and moved to third on Taylor Haggerty’s single. Katelyn Haupt, the pinch-runner for Anderson, then came across with the first run on a sacrifice fly by Alicia Cutherbertson. The tie run scored when Breanna Barbe, running for Haggerty, came across on a ground ball to shortstop by Katelyn Ray.
In the seventh, Keyser went for the kill as Brandi Braithwaite led off with a single. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt Kelsey Bacon, then to third on a single by Brooke Mangold. Marlee Whitlock then singled home Bacon with the game-winner.
Anderson finished the game with a double and a single, while Cuthbertson had two singles. Anderson went the distance on the hill to earn her 13th win, striking out six, hitting one batter and walking none. For Petersburg, Lough also went the distance, striking out two and did not issue a walk either. Both pitchers allowed eight hits.
Lough had a single and a double for Petersburg, while Brittany George singled twice
Keyser, (13-11) will play in the Region 2 final next week at a site and against a team to be determined this weekend. Petersburg concludes the season at 15-8.
East Hardy 14
Pendleton 4
FRANKLIN, W.Va. — Ashley Dove accounted for nine of East Hardy’s 14 runs as the Cougars defeated Pendleton in five innings to win the West Virginia Class A, Region 2, Section 3 championship Thursday evening at Pendleton High School.
The Cougars, the home team, scored four runs in the first, six in the second and two each in the third and fourth innings to put the game out of reach.
Dove was 3-for-4, knocking in five runs and she scored four times. Lindsey Basye was 3-for-3 with a walk and Molly Look was 2-for-4 with a double, a single and she scored twice.
Pendleton’s Erin Wright had a three-run home run in the Wildcats’ four-run sixth inning.
The Cougars, 17-3 and fourth in the Times-News poll, will host the Region 2 championship Thursday between the winner of last night’s Clay Battelle and South Harrison game.
Goretti 14
Bishop Walsh 1
CUMBERLAND — Caroline Rosenthal recorded eight strikeouts during a five-inning one-hitter in which St. Maria Goretti beat Bishop Walsh in the Spartans season finale Wednesday at Cavanaugh Field.
The Gaels scored four runs in the first inning to jump ahead, and picked right up in the second inning to score seven more times. The Spartans got their run during the fourth inning when Maggie McGill singled home Anne Mathews, who had reached on a fielder’s choice. Mathews was credited, along with Ashley Turnbull, for saving a few runs for the Spartans defense.
Goretti got two singles from Emma Bartholew and Colleen McCarley hit a two-run double that got the Gaels moving again in the second inning.
Bishop Walsh’s season ends 3-14.
“I think the ladies worked really hard and showed a lot of improvement over the season,” said Spartans Head Coach Jim Taylor. “We’ll be losing two great players in Anne Mathews and Chloe Detrick, but we have a good group of ladies coming back next year and we look forward to a better season.”
