For most teams, victory against an opponent with one win on the season wouldn’t be considered much of an accomplishment. But those teams likely aren’t coming off a losing streak that spanned four seasons.
Such was the case for the Lafayette softball team heading into the 2016 season. After not winning for years, the Rams finally appear to be righting the ship. And today’s 4-2 road win against Bruton raised their season victory total to five.
“It feels very good, and it just goes to show when you practice hard and play hard that wins are possible,” said Lafayette Head Coach Tim Jones. “Every game we’re just getting better. That’s all we’re looking for.”
Still very much a work in progress, Lafayette has shown significant growth this season, and now the Rams have a two-game win streak to show for it.
One of the biggest areas of growth for the Rams has been the ability to capitalize on opportunities, which was on display against the Panthers.
Lafayette’s first run today came as a result of heads-up base running by Casey Cole, who scored on a wild pitch by Bruton’s Lydia Albrecht in the top of the first inning.
In the top of the second, the Rams extended their lead to 2-0 after Jacqueline Boesler scored on another wild pitch by the Panthers.
Bruton tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning, as Kelcee Harrod drew a bases-loaded walk. On the next at-bat, a Lafayette fielding error allowed another run to score.
The Rams were quick to respond, however, with Boesler again scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the fourth.
A final run was scored in the top of the sixth inning, with Brieanna Gillen reaching home on yet another wild pitch by the Panthers.
On Wednesday, Lafayette (5-11) will host Grafton on Wednesday, while Bruton (1-15) will host Poquoson.
Lafayette: 110-101-0 — 4 7 1
Bruton: 002-000-0 — 2 5 1
WP: Julia Jones
LP: Lydia Albrecht
Lafayette: Casey Cole (2-4, R), Brieanna Gillen (2-2, R, HBP)
Bruton: Ashley Cordner (1-4), Kelcee Harrod (RBI)
Grafton’s Cox throws one-hitter against Jamestown
The Grafton softball team received a stellar performance by pitcher Kayley Cox today in a 2-0 home victory over Jamestown.
Cox threw a complete game shutout, allowing one hit and striking out eight batters.
Jamestown had a solid pitching performance of its own, as Madalyn Morton allowed just two earned runs on six hits over six innings of work.
The lone runs of the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Jessica Sprouse and Becca Hallingstand logged back-to-back RBI singles.
On Tuesday, Grafton (13-4) will host Poquoson, while Jamestown (5-12) will host Smithfield.
Jamestown: 000-000-0 — 0 1 2
Grafton: 000-020-x — 2 6 3
WP: Kayley Cox
LP: Madalyn Morton
Jamestown: Madison Maharty (1-3)
Grafton: Jessica Sprouse (3-3, RBI), Becca Hallingstad (1-3, RBI)
Warhill’s Rochard strikes out 18 in shutout
Warhill pitcher Keely Rochard put together one of her more impressive pitching performances of the season today, striking out 18 batters and leading the Lions to a 5-0 road win against Tabb.
In addition to her dominant pitching, Rochard went 1-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBIs.
Rochard started the scoring for Warhill in the top of the fourth with a successful sacrifice squeeze.
In the top of the sixth inning, Rochard delivered an RBI single that gave the Lions a 2-0 lead. Later that inning, Jasmine Ortiz singled to left to bring home Kieran McClure.
The final runs of the game came in the top of the seventh inning, when Olivia Schulz belted a two-run home run over the left field fence.
Warhill (16-1) will travel to play Bruton on Thursday. Tabb (8-8) will visit Poquoson on Tuesday.
Warhill: 000-102-2 — 5 7 0
Tabb: 0000000-0 — 0 3 0
WP: Keely Rochard
LP: Alexis Gore
Warhill: Olivia Schulz (2-3, 2 RBIs), Keely Rochard (1-3, 2 RBIs)
Tabb: Ashley Adams (1-3), Alexis Gore (1-2)
York upends Smithfield in extras
York scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning during a 7-3 win today at Smithfield.
After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, York responded with a run in the top of the second on a Hayley Winfree RBI groundout.
The Falcons tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning, with one run coming on a fielding error and the other on an RBI single by Chelsea Evans.
In the top of the eighth inning, York took the lead and never looked back.
Brittany Hepner grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice to give the Falcons a 4-3 lead. After tacking on another run, York put the game out of reach with a Devon Smith two-run home run.
York (13-3) will visit Jamestown on Thursday.
York: 010-002-04 — 7 12 1
Smithfield: 300-000-00 — 3 4 2
WP: Chelsea Evans
LP: Skylar Hedgepeth
York: Devon Smith (2-5, HR, 2 RBIs), Katie Russell (2-4, 2 R)
Smithfield: Kim Cratsley (2-3, R), Meredith Throckmorton (1-3, RBI)