By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, May 2 — The Page County Panthers maintained the top spot in the Bull Run District after securing a solid 10-0 victory over Madison on Tuesday at Alan Knight Field. At least three teams in the Bull Run have logged only one district loss, but the Panthers hold the best overall record at 13-3.
While suffering two non-district losses to Class 3 Turner Ashby, Page County’s only district loss came at the hands of East Rockingham (10-4 overall, 8-1 Bull Run) by a score of 7-1 on April 18. Since that loss, the Panthers have rattled off six straight wins with four games remaining — two on the road, and two at home, including a May 19 regular season finale with second-place East Rock. However, first Page travels to Clarke on Thursday, May 4 to take on the third-place Eagles (9-4 overall, 8-1 Bull Run) at 5 p.m.
Through 16 games, the Page County softball team has outscored its opponents 135-30. The Panthers have recorded eight of 13 wins by double-digits, including five by shutout.
Tuesday’s district matchup against Madison was a showcase of the Panthers’ dominance in front of a small, but dedicated crowd fighting frigid temperatures and high winds in early May. Page put up 10 runs in five innings, while holding their opponents scoreless and evoking the slaughter rule for about the eighth time this season.
Nine different Panthers combined for 11 hits on the day, while only committing one error in the field. Page was lead at the plate by senior first baseman Jocelyn Rinker. The Division I-Radford commit went 2-for-2 with a solo home run that lead-off the bottom of the third. Sophomore catcher Emma Lucas went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
A constant strength for the Panthers this season has been the solid performances posted by junior pitcher Bailee Gaskins, who hurled a no-hit, shutout on Tuesday — her fifth shutout of the season. The right-handed hurler that took the Panthers all the way to the state championship last season retired 15 of the 17 Mountaineer batters she faced, eight by strikeout. One reached base on a walk and one on an error.
Page moves to 13-3 overall and 9-1 in the district, while East Rock and Clarke sit just behind at 8-1 in the Bull Run. Key matchups with both remain in the final four regular season games. With the loss, Madison falls to 3-9 overall and 3-6 in the district. The Mountaineers will next host Central on Friday, May 5.
Madison 8, Page 3
SHENANDOAH, May 2 — Page County suffered its sixth-straight loss in baseball, 8-3, to Madison at home on Tuesday. The Panthers fall to 5-11 overall, but still hold on to the eighth seed to qualify for the Bull Run District tournament with just four games remaining in the regular season.
The Mountaineers earned eight runs off 13 hits. Nine of those hits came from three players — senior Wade Fox and sophomore William Dickey both went 3-for-4, while senior Kody Dobyns went a perfect 3-for-3.
Page earned its three runs off seven hits, with senior Gunnar Strickler going a perfect 3-for-3. Junior Noah Lucas went 1-for-4, but recorded two RBI.
Tuesday’s district matchup was tied 3-3 after four complete innings. Madison then broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning, before adding one more in the sixth for the 8-3 final.
With the win, Madison moves to 11-4 overall and maintains second place in the district. The Mountaineers will host Central at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 5.
Next up, the Panthers will travel to Clarke on Thursday, May 4 for a 5 p.m. game.
For full schedules, rosters and standings — check out the Bull Run District website.
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