Page produces 11 hits, while freshman pitcher records 16 Ks
By Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, May 9 — At the onset of the season, there were those who were skeptical of the perennial powerhouse Panthers. After all, Page County lost seven players to graduation from a season ago, at least two of which are now on collegiate rosters. However, Coach Alan Knight’s program always seems to find a way to reload.
With only two seniors on this year’s roster, the Panthers have exceeded some expectations. Despite featuring eight freshmen and sophomores on a roster of 13, Page County now sits at 15-3 on the season and hasn’t lost a game since April 2. Offensively, they have outscored opponents 164 to 52. Defensively, they rarely commit errors and have two reliable pitchers — including a freshman who mowed down 16 batters on the No. 3 team in the district on Friday evening.
Summer Pence went the distance inside the circle to pick up the district win, 6-0, against third-place Strasburg on Friday. Her shutout performance produced 16 strikeouts and no walks through seven innings. The freshman only allowed two runners to reach base through the first five innings, but then allowed two additional hits in the sixth.
Page County produced a total of 11 hits, with four different players generating multiple hits. Pence, sophomore Danica Turner, and sophomore Kayla Pence, all went 2-for-3 on the day. Turner belted a solo home run over the left field fence in the top of the sixth, while Summer belted an RBI-double just inside the left field fence in the same inning. Lead-off batter Ava Marshall went 2-for-4 against Strasburg. The sophomore belted an RBI-double to the centerfield fence, also in the sixth.
The Panthers scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 2-0 lead. After leaving four runners on base in the first three innings, Page strung together a couple of hits and then scored twice on passed balls that kicked out from the plate. The score would remain locked until the home team added four insurance runs in the sixth, off five hits and two walks during the inning.
Strasburg sophomore Chelsea Stine was the only Ram to collect more than one hit, going 2-for-3 with a single and a double. The Rams got four hits on the day and stranded four runners.
Despite sporadic offense early in the game, Page County put a cap on its 12th-straight win in the sixth. Although they scored six runs and recorded 11 hits, the Panthers still stranded a total of seven runners during the game. Page beat Strasburg April 15 on the road , 4-2.
With Friday’s loss, Strasburg falls to 10-7 overall and 7-3 in the Bull Run. With four games remaining in the regular season, the Rams now host Luray (4-12) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13.
With the win, Page County (10-1, 15-3) now extends its winning streak to a dozen, including a tough, 1-0, win over top-ranked Central on April 29 in Woodstock. Currently, Page is tied for first with the Falcons (15-1), having split with them during the regular season. Central, who’s only loss this season was to Page, still has to face Clarke and Strasburg. Page faces three of the four bottom teams in the district to close out the regualr season.
The Panthers should at least finish tied for first place at the end of the regular season, and have a shot at being the No. 1 seed in the district (and possibly region) tournament.
Next up, Page travels to Quicksburg to face the Generals of Stonewall Jackson at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, before hosting county-rival Luray at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
•••
RELATED ARTICLES
Panthers outlast Eagles, 7-6; extend winning streak to 10 games
Be the first to comment