Clarke had tying run at second in final at-bat; Panthers put together 11 hits and still left nine runners on base
By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, May 1 — Second-place Page County outlasted third-place Clarke on Thursday afternoon, 7-6, in a bout between two evenly-matched Bull Run District leaders. The season’s first meeting between these two was also decided by one run, 11-10, on April 8. This week, the Panthers put together 11 hits in the district win and still left nine runners stranded on base.
Page County was lead by sophomore Danica Turner, who went 3-for-4 at the plate with a triple, two singles and an RBI. Seniors Emma Lucas and Karleigh Austin both went 2-for-3. Austin belted two doubles and picked up an RBI, while Lucas recorded two singles. In total, seven different Panthers recorded hits.
Inside the circle, junior Madison Phares went the distance for the win, allowing five earned runs off eight hits, while striking out 11 and walking three. Phares went 1-for-4 at the plate.
Page jumped on the board early thanks to an RBI-single by Turner in the first inning. A two-run homer in the second by freshman Summer Pence gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead.
Clarke evened the score in the third thanks to four hits in the inning, including RBI-singles by freshmen Anna Taylor and Peyton DeHaven. The Eagles also scored when a runner from first was picked off stealing second, but the runner at third was able to score before the throw reached the plate.
Clarke added two more runs in the fifth when senior Devin Simmons-McDonald hit a home run clearing the bases.
Page immediately answered back to tie the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth, scoring off an error in left field from a double by Austin and a sacrifice bunt by Pence. The Panthers added two more runs in the sixth off an RBI-triple from Turner and an RBI-double by Austin to take a 7-5 lead into the seventh.
After recording two outs by strikeout, the Eagles got a double from freshman Olivia Parker to stay alive. The Panthers then committed their only error of the game when a line drive fly was dropped in centerfield to allow Clarke one additional run. A fielder’s choice closed out the game and secured the win for Page.
Clarke was lead by Taylor and Simmons-McDonald, who both went 2-for-4. Simmons-McDonald picked up three RBI, while Taylor had one. DeHaven went 2-for-3 on the day, with an RBI as well. The Eagles left five runners on base and committed two errors in the field.
Clarke (5-3, 8-7) is battling with Strasburg for third place in the district, but the Eagles next host the top team in the Bull Run, Central (7-1, 13-1), at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 5 in Berryville.
Page County (8-1, 13-3) extends its winning streak to 10 games, with the only district loss coming to No. 1 Central, 6-4, at home on April 2. Next up, with only five regular season games remaining, the Panthers will travel to Madison to face the Mountaineers (1-6, 1-12) at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6.
Through 16 games, Page has outscored their opponents 135 to 45 — averaging about eight runs per game, while allowing about three.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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