By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, March 25 — The Page County Panthers have shown early why there are big expectations surrounding the 2024 softball season. The Panthers opened up their Bull Run District schedule on Monday by mauling the Mountaineers of Madison, 24-0. Through five games, Page remains undefeated at 5-0 and has outscored their opponents 61-5.
Monday’s district matchup with Madison was over quickly as Page batted around twice in the first inning and recorded 13 runs, off nine hits and three errors during their first 18 trips to the plate. The second inning produced eight more runs off six hits and an error. PCHS head coach Alan Knight began substituting in the second inning, and the Panthers still managed one more run in the third and two in the fourth when Page was bunting at every at bat.
Nearly every Panther on the roster recorded a hit as Page produced 11 singles, five doubles and three RBI-producing sacrifice flys, while also benefitting from nine walks and six Madison errors. Only three Mountaineers reached base — two by walks and one due to the Panthers’ only error of the game in the final inning.
Last season’s All-District and All-Region “Player of the Year”, senior pitcher Bailee Gaskins, only faced seven hitters and struck out five in two scoreless innings. Junior Karleigh Austin entered the circle in relief in the third, striking out two; and sophomore Aliyah Knight took over in the fourth and fifth, striking out four of the eight batters she faced, as Coach Knight got his bull pen some much-needed experience.
In addition, Gaskins was being rested for the Panthers big non-district rematch with the Class 3 Knights of Turner Ashby on the road Tuesday evening. On March 15, Page County and Turner Ashby — considered by many to be two of the best softball programs in the region — played to a 2-2 tie in regulation before a single by senior Emme Baugher scored Austin for the 3-2 walk-off win in the bottom of the eighth at Alan Knight Field. The rematch takes place at T.A. this evening at 6 p.m.
With two state semifinal appearances in the last two years and two current players already signed to collegiate scholarships to play Division II softball, the expectations are big for 2024.
“They’re big every year,” Coach Knight told PVN prior to the start of the season.
Perhaps this year, those expectations are elevated even more because not only do current players remember the 1-0 state runner-up finish to Appomattox two years ago, but this season their coach will be enshrined into the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Hall of Fame during ceremonies scheduled for Sunday, April 28 in Charlottesville.
Yeah, this season is going to be special.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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