Kempsville softball coach Matt Brinton couldn’t have asked for much more from his five seniors in their celebrated senior night game Wednesday against Green Run.
The Chiefs’ veterans carried the team in a 5-2 win that kept their hopes alive for the Atlantic Conference No. 1 seed.
Ace Shannon Buchanan was surgical from the mound, hurling a complete game one-hitter while fanning nine Stallion batters.
From the plate, Kempsville’s seniors were responsible for all five runs. None made more noise than Kaylah Duplain’s solo blast to left field in the third inning.
“They were excited about the game today,” Brinton said. “They really stepped up all the way around and they deserved it.”
Buchanan was in command from the start. She worked into favorable pitcher’s counts early and allowed just one lead-off runner to reach base in seven innings. The only hit she allowed was a Reagan Zydzik single in the fourth inning. The Stallions runs came off a walk-in and a fielder’s choice.
“She kept the ball low and it paid off,” Brinton said of Buchanan. “When she’s coming out bold-headed and not getting behind in counts, she’s pretty tough.”
Brinton was proud of his seniors’ different contributions.
Duplain finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, scoring Mikayla Wessel in the first inning before launching her solo home run in the third. Right fielder Haley Murray added three hits, one RBI and one run. Left fielder Emily Whately had a hit, while second baseman Sam Pittman advanced runners in two at-bats. Buchanan was her normal solid self from the mound.
The Chiefs finished with nine hits and struck out just once, making Stallions starter DaLeshia Oates work for every out.
Kempsville’s (15-4, 8-1 Atlantic) defense continued to compliment its offense. The Chiefs have outscored opponents 66-5 in their last seven games.
The Chiefs close the regular season Thursday at Indian River. Kempsville has a chance at the conference’s top seed if Hickory loses Thursday and the Chiefs win. Kempsville is guaranteed at least the No. 2 seed. If both teams finish with 9-1 conference records, they will meet in a playoff game Monday to decide the No. 1 seed and an automatic berth in the 5A South Region tournament.
“I told them, we have plenty of softball left to play,” Brinton said. “(Defense) has been the mainstay for us, and we need to maintain that and hit to be competitive against everyone.”
