Rockbridge Softball Drops Pair

The Rockbridge County High School softball team suffered a pair of losses in its first week of Valley District action, falling 12-2 in six innings at home against Spotswood on Tuesday of last week before suffering a 22-0 setback at Turner Ashby on Friday.

Against Spotswood (7-2 overall, 2-1 district, the highlight for the Wildcats (1-6, 0-2) was when sophomore Sadie Moore hit a solo home run over the center field fence in the bottom of the sixth, just before the game ended early due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Earlier in the game, after the first two innings were scoreless, Spotswood scored four runs in the top of the third, on a triple, two singles and an RC error. The Wildcats cut the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the third when Bella Dorey stole home.

The Trailblazers had another big inning in the fifth, erupting for five runs, and added three more in the sixth before Moore’s dinger.

“They had a couple big innings,” said RC head coach Keston Pelter of the Blazers. “They hit the gaps. We had a couple big plays in the field, but it still seems to be that one inning that always gets us. If we can just stay focused mentally and play together as a team, we can complete a ballgame.”

Spotswood recorded 11 hits, while the Wildcats had four. Adalaide Scott led the Blazers with three hits, while Addyson Moats had two hits and two RBIs.

Moore led RC with two hits, while Marla Zollman and Cameron Terry each had one hit.

On the mound, Moore pitched a complete game for the Wildcats, striking out three and allowing 11 hits, two walks and 12 runs (five earned). “Sadie continues to do well with pitching,” said Pelter.

Taelor Ware pitched the first four innings for Spotswood, striking out two and surrendering two hits, three walks and one earned run. In two innings of relief, Charlotte Bentley struck out one and surrendered two hits, no walks and one earned run.

RC committed four errors, while Spotswood had none.

After the game, Pelter encouraged her players. “I told the girls, we have the talent,” she said. “It’s there. It’s an uphill climb from here. It’s only gonna get tougher in the district.”

TA 22, RC 0

Turner Ashby dominated from start to finish in dealing the Wildcats a 22-0 loss in Bridgewater.

The Knights (7-2, 4-0) exploded for seven runs in the first and added four runs in the second. TA then scored five runs in the third to extend its lead to 16-0, and the Knights scored their final six runs in the fourth.

TA racked up 17 hits while holding the Wildcats to two.

Madison Aderholz led the Knights with four hits and four RBIs, while Harleigh Probst added three hits, and three TA players each had two hits.

For RC, Marla Zollman and Sadie Moore each recorded one hit.

The Wildcats didn’t help themselves in the field, committing five errors, while TA had none.

On the mound for TA, Kennedy Shifflet pitched all five innings, striking out five and allowing two hits, one walk and no runs.

For the Wildcats, Moore pitched four innings, striking out three while surrendering 17 hits, four walks and 22 runs (12 earned).

The Wildcats were scheduled to play host to William Monroe yesterday and will continue district action at home against Broadway on Friday at 5 p.m. before playing at East Rockingham on Tuesday at 6 p.m.