Blues Advance With Rout Of Narrows

The Parry McCluer High School softball team cruised to a 19-0 win in five innings over Narrows in the Pioneer District semifinals on Monday of last week in Buena Vista.

The top-seeded Fighting Blues (9-7 overall, 6-1 district), who had coasted to two dominant wins over fourthseeded Narrows (0-12-1, 0-6) during the regular season, capitalized on pitching struggles by the Green Wave and drew 15 walks. The Blues also got on base four times when they were hit by pitches.

The Blues took a 2-0 lead in the first, added three runs in the second, and erupted for 13 runs in the third, drawing six walks in the inning. PM scored its final run in the fourth.

Freshman Kendall Painter led PM with two hits, including a triple.

On the mound, junior Alysa Wheeler pitched all five innings for the Blues, striking out one and allowing three hits and no walks. “Alysa pitched well,” said PM head coach Troy Clark. He was also pleased with his team’s fielding. “We played good defense,” he said.

The PM coach was glad all of his active players got into the game. The Blues were missing two starters, as pitcher and first baseman Olivia Julian was out with a back injury, and second baseman Kadence Zollman sat out with a broken finger suffered the previous Friday.

Before the game, the Blues honored their three seniors: Payton Emore, Autumn Mundy and Gracey Shafer. Clark praised all three seniors after the game. “They’re great teammates,” he said. “They lead by example. They set a good example for our younger kids.”

Emore, a shortstop who has played for the varsity team all four years, earning all-state honors her freshman and senior years, signed her national letter of intent on May 7 to continue her academic and softball career at Bryant & Stratton College in Virginia Beach. “She’s a really good player,” said Clark.

Mundy, the Blues’ catcher, is going into nursing. Shafer, a designated player for PM, will go to Mountain Gateway Community College next year.

In the district finals, the Blues were scheduled to play host to second-seeded Eastern Montgomery on Monday. (See separate story for the result.) PM will next compete in the Region 1C quarterfinals on Thursday. For the game time, opponent and location, visit www.thenews-gazette.com.