Turner and Shifflett combine for eight hits and nine RBI
By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, May 8 — As many expected, Page County will be battling with Central and Strasburg — barring any upsets — for both the district and region titles in a couple of weeks. With three games remaining in the regular season, the three teams are separated by a single game atop the Bull Run District.
And the margin of difference between these teams is even closer.
First-place Central (10-1, 12-4) suffered its only district loss on the road at Strasburg, 4-3. Four days earlier, the Falcons defeated Page County in the second half of a doubleheader, 4-3. Central has three games remaining — Rapp (1-9, 3-14) and Luray (5-4, 7-6), before ending the regular season against the Rams.
Strasburg (9-2, 13-4) suffered both its district losses to Page County — 1-0 on the road, and 4-1 at home. The Rams also have three games remaining — Clarke (6-5,7-10) and Luray, before ending with Central on May 19.
Page County (9-2, 10-6) has the lightest remaining district schedule. After a non-district matchup with Turner Ashby on Monday, the Panthers travel to Stonewall (2-9, 5-12) on Tuesday and host Clarke Tuesday, before ending with rival Luray on May 19.
On Friday, the Panthers built some great momentum heading into the postseason, as they mauled the Mountaineers of Madison County, 17-4, in five innings by slaughter rule.
Junior Danica Turner and senior Kahlei Shifflett — the No. 3 and 4 hitters, respectively — combined for eight hits and nine RBI. Both batters went a perfect 4-for-4. Shifflett belted back-to-back home runs in the second and third innings, a double in the first, and a single in the fourth, with a total of four RBI. Turner knocked in at least one run during each at-bat, with three singles, a double and five RBI. Turner’s double in the third was almost a home run, but bounced off the top bar of the fence and back into play.
Page County had a total of 16 hits in the game and left only three runners on base. Lead-off hitter Ava Marshall went a perfect 3-for-3. The junior recorded two doubles and a single, with three RBI. Junior Lilly Mullins went 2-for 3 with two singles and an RBI, while junior Kayla Pence went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.
Senior Madison Phares had a solid outing in the circle. Through three innings of work, the senior gave up only one hit and one earned run, while striking out seven and walking none. Sophomore Caelyn Lucas and freshman Maci Campbell closed out the game in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively. The Panthers also played flawlessly in the field, with no errors recorded.
Madison (0-10, 0-17) had little to cheer about, but junior Madeline Dean broke up Phares’ no-hitter with a solo shot over the centerfield fence in the second inning. The home run would be the Mountaineers only run until the fifth. Junior Emily Danuser hit a two-run double in Madison’s final at-bat, which followed a one-run single by a pinch hitter. Madison had only three hits, while committing four errors in the field.
The Mountaineers are still searching for their first win of the season as they host Luray Monday and tavel to Rapp on Tuesday.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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