Page County ends season at 20-5 with young team and bright future
By Randy Arrington
CENTRAL GARAGE, June 10 — Each team’s destiny for the state’s Final Four hung in the balance until the bottom of the sixth. Pitching was strong on both sides, hitting was sporadic on both sides, and both teams committed one error. But ultimately, one hit broke open the game.
The game remained scoreless until King William’s Katelyn Lewis belted an RBI-double off the fence in the bottom of the third. Page County answered back in the fourth as senior Emma Lucas lead off with a single and junior Kahlei Shifflett reached base on an infield error. Junior Madison Phares then hit a fielder’s choice that scored a run to tie the game at 1-1.
The tie held until the bottom of the fifth, when the Cavaliers scored on a sacrifice bunt by the pitcher Julian Smith to go up 2-1. In the bottom of the sixth, King William’s Annabelle Townsend laid down a beautiful bunt to advance runners to second and third and fill the bases. However, despite there being no throw to first base, the runner rounded third and headed for home with catcher Emma Lucas holding the ball in her mitt. The tough senior took a big blow at the plate (potentially injuring her shoulder) as the runner made no effort to slide, but Lucas held on to the ball and made a crucial second out.
Despite Page County holding off the scoring attempt, King William’s lead-off hitter Olivia Unser then belted a single to right field that loaded the bases. Addy Kirby then followed with the hit that broke open the game — a double off the fence that cleared the bases and put King William up 5-1.
The Panthers would benefit from three walks that loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but the Cavaliers got out of a jam and preserved the state quarterfinal win.
King William was lead by Kirby, who went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and three RBI. Unser went 2-for-3. Overall, the Cavaliers recorded eight hits, while also benefitting from three walks and one hit batter. They left six runners on base.
Page County was lead by Lucas, sophomore Danica Turner and sophomore Lilly Mullins, who all went 1-for-3. King William’s Julian Smith only allowed three hits and only gave up three walks in the complete-game win. The Panthers stranded five runners.
King William (20-2) now advances to a state semifinal at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13 at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem. The Cavaliers will face Region 2C champion Appomattox (20-2). The other semifinal begins at 10 a.m. with Region 2D champion Central of Wise (14-8) taking on the Region 2B champ Central of Woodstock (22-2).
Page County ends its season at 20-5, after finishing as the Bull Run District regular season champion, the Region 2B runner-up, and among the Top 8 schools in Class 2 at the state tournament. Coach Alan Knight took a team that lost seven players from a year ago and went on a 17-game winning streak at one point this season.
Next season, the Panthers will lose the skills and experience of seniors Emma Lucas and Karleigh Austin, but they retain the bulk of the lineup, including eight who are either freshmen or sophomores. That also includes sophomore Ava Marshall, who was absent from Tuesday’s state quarterfinal due to an injury after hitting home runs in back-to-back games during the region tournament.
The youth and depth, both inside the circle and at the plate, bode well for Page County for the next two or three seasons. But what else is new with the Panther softball program — they just seem to keep reloading.
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VHSL Class 2 State Softball Tournament ~ Quarterfinals – Tuesday, June 10
- Region 2D champion Central Wise defeated Region 2C runner-up Chatham, 11-1
- Region 2B champion Central of Woodstock defeated Region 2A runner-up Central of Lunenburg, 9-2
- Region 2C champion Appomattox defeated Region 2D runner-up Lee, 7-3
- Region 2A champion King William defeated Region 2B runner-up Page County, 5-1
VHSL Class 2 State Softball Tournament ~ Semifinals Friday, June 13 at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem
- 10 a.m. — Region D champ Central of Wise (14-8) versus Region B champ Central of Woodstock (22-2)
- 12:30 p.m. — Region C champ Appomattox (22-3) versus Region A champ King William (20-2)
State championship at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem.
For information about the VHSL Class 2 State Softball Tournament, CLICK HERE.
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