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PM Defeats EM For Pioneer District Softball Title
The Parry McCluer High School softball team won the Pioneer District first-place game 8-3 against Eastern Montgomery to claim the district regular-season title and the top seed in the tournament on Thursday night at James River High School in Buchanan.
The game, played at a neutral location, was tied 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth after Eastern Montgomery (12-5 overall, 5-2 district) came back from a 3-1 deficit, but the Fighting Blues (8-7, 6-1) scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to earn the win.
During the regular season, PM and EM split a pair of games, with the Blues winning 9-5 on April 2 at EM and the Mustangs winning 9-5 on April 23 at PM.
The Blues finished second to Covington in the district last year before losing to Cougars in the district tournament finals. That was Covington’s final year as a school; this year Covington merged with Alleghany High School.
In last Thursday’s game, PM took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when Payton Emore singled on a line drive to bring home Natalie Mohler.
The Mustangs threatened to score in the fourth when Kelly Mills hit a line drive to the fence, but right fielder Kendall Painter threw the ball to Emore at shortstop, who threw Mills out at third base.
In the top of the fifth, EM’s Rena Chandler singled to bring home Katie Salyer, tying the game 1-1.
The Blues responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. PM loaded the bases and then scored two runs on a line drive to left center field by Painter, giving the Blues a 3-1 lead.
In the top of the sixth, EM’s Alexis Artrip hit a two-run home run to center field to tie the game 3-3. EM’s Sophie Vishneski later tried to steal second, but PM catcher Autumn Mundy made a perfect throw to Emore to tag Vishneski for the third out.
The Blues loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, and Mundy hit a line drive to the fence to bring home three runs. Mundy then scored on an overthrown ball by the catcher. PM’s Olivia Julian singled down the right field line and later scored the final run of the game on a groundout by Painter.
On the mound for PM, Alysa Wheeler pitched six innings, striking out one and allowing seven hits, two walks and three runs.
Emore led the Blues with two hits, while Salyer paced the Mustangs with two.
Praising his players, PM head coach Troy Clark said, “I can’t say enough about this team and the effort we played with tonight. From the beginning, we were fired up and had each other’s back. We pitched well, played great defense and figured it out with the bats.”
“I am so proud of these ladies and these coaches,” added Clark. “We earned the Pioneer District championship.”
The Blues were scheduled to play host to Narrows in the district tournament semifinals on Monday. See a separate story for the result, and visit www.thenews-gazette.com for tournament updates.
