Wildcats Defeat Waynesboro, Draft, Fall To WM
Playing three Shenandoah District games in four days, the Rockbridge County High School softball team fell to Wilson Memorial last Monday but bounced back with wins over Waynesboro last Tuesday and Stuarts Draft on Thursday. The Wildcats ended the week at 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the district.
Against Waynesboro (1-6 overall, 0-5 district), the Wildcats earned a 10-1 home win. RC took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, added another run in the third, and racked up seven runs in the fourth before scoring its final run in the fifth.
The Wildcats got an impressive performance on the mound from senior Sadie Moore, who pitched a complete game, striking out 12 and allowing just three hits, no walks and one unearned run.
In the bottom of the first inning, Bella Dorey singled on a grounder to shortstop, advanced to third base on a single by Page Wright, and then stole home to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
ABOVE, RC junior Harley Tomlin gets to the base to beat the throw to the Waynesboro infielder. Tomlin scored one run and drew a walk in the Wildcats’10-1 win.AT LEFT, Wildcat senior Landrey Campbell takes a swing. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)
The Wildcats extended their lead to 2-0 in the third inning when Harley Tomlin scored on a groundout by Wright.
In the Wildcats’ monster third inning, Willow Rogers scored when Dorey singled on a grounder to shortstop. Wright then singled on a hard grounder to left field to drive in Dorey and Brooke Hostetter. The next batter, Kayleigh Rosson, doubled on a line drive to right field to bring home Wright. Moore then doubled to left field, driving in Rosson, before scoring on an error. Eliana Lawrie completed the inning’s scoring by running home when Rogers singled on a grounder to shortstop, extending RC’s lead to 9-0.
Waynesboro’s lone run came in the top of the fifth, scoring on a bunt single. The Wildcats scored the final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth when Wright doubled on a line drive to left field to bring home Dorey. The Wildcats racked up 15 hits.
“I’m proud of the way we hit the ball,” said RC head coach Keston Pelter.
Leading RC with three hits each were Dorey, Wright and Moore, while Rogers had two hits. Wright paced RC with four RBIs. RC and Waynesboro each committed one error.
RC 2, SD 0
The Wildcats earned a 2-0 road win over Stuarts Draft (4-3, 1-3) on Thursday, scoring both of their runs on errors in the third inning.
RC’s Landrey Campbell led off the third by drawing a walk. After Gracie Pelter singled on a hard grounder to center field and Lilly Thomas grounded out, Wright reached first base on a Draft error, bringing home Campbell. Hostetter then hit a fly ball and reached on another Draft error, driving in Pelter.
In the bottom of the third, Draft’s Lynzie Carson doubled on a line drive to left field and then advanced to third place on an RC error, but the Wildcats ended the inning with a groundout to Dorey at shortstop.
“The girls played together as a team,” said Coach Pelter. “They made the plays, and they stayed calm throughout the entire game.”
The RC coach noted that a few of her players were in different positions than usual, with Hostetter moving from second base to catcher. “She made huge plays for us tonight, big hustle plays,” said Pelter.
Grace Pelter recorded the lone hit for RC, while Draft had four hits, led by Addyson Dameron with two.
On the mound for the Wildcats, Moore pitched a complete game, striking out seven and surrendering four hits and one walk in the shutout. Coach Pelter said Moore is “pitching really well. She’s hitting her spots, moving the ball, and keeping hitters on their toes.”
The Cougars committed two errors, while the Wildcats had one.
WM 2, RC 0
Earlier in the week, the Wildcats came up short 2-0 at Wilson Memorial (3-3, 3-0) last Monday.
The Green Hornets scored both of their runs in the fourth inning. Presley Southers singled on a grounder to third base to bring in Myleigh Glass for the first run. Hailey McClain then reached first base on a dropped third strike and Southers scored on a passed ball.
Kelsey Payne led WM with two hits, while Dorey, Wright, Rogers and Thomas each recorded one hit for RC.
McLain pitched a complete game for the Hornets, striking out five while allowing four hits and one walk in the shutout. For RC, Moore pitched a complete game, striking out seven while surrendering five this, no walks and two runs (one earned).
Reviewing the game, Coach Pelter said that it went well, “just didn’t go in our favor. We did not execute on the bases like we should have.”
Reflecting on the week’s games, Pelter said, “I’m extremely proud of how the girls played this week. Every player had a role in making the good things happen.”
“These girls are having fun and building momentum each game,” added Pelter.
The Wildcats were scheduled to play host to Buffalo Gap on Monday. After spring break, they’ll continue district action at Staunton next Monday before playing host to Riverheads on Tuesday, with both games scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
RC SOPHOMORE Brooke Hostetter tags out a Waynesboro baserunner. (Stephanie Mikels Blevins photo)
