Lord Botetourt softball team will play host to William Byrd
The Lord Botetourt softball team will play host to William Byrd in a pivotal Blue Ridge District game Friday evening.
Lord Botetourt's Leah Poehner sprints to third base against Blacksburg. She had a great game against the Bruins, going 4 for 5 at the plate and scoring two runs. Photo by Jon Fleming
Byrd features junior pitcher Jessica Mahoney, who opened the season with seven consecutive shutouts, including two no-hitters. Through the weekend, Mahoney had thrown 49 consecutive scoreless innings to start the season. Byrd was home to Northside Tuesday, but results were too late for publication.
Botetourt opened the Blue Ridge season with a win over Staunton River last Friday in Moneta. Samantha Barton struck out five and walked just one to get the win.
The Cavaliers got off to a fast start when Ally Heldreth drove in two runs in the first inning. Makena Morris had two hits and an RBI, Samantha Barton had an RBI, and Danielle Santos stole two bases and scored a run.
“We played very well,” said coach Cheryl Shockley. “We put the ball in play a lot and got the lead early.”
The Cavaliers lost to Blacksburg last week, 7-6, in extra innings at Jaycee Park. Leah Poehner led the hit parade with four of Botetourt’s 12 hits, driving one in and stealing two bases. Lindsey Cuba drove in two runs with a hit and Katie Hall, Meaghan Catron, Emily Waldek and Savannah Price all drove in runs.
Barton took the loss, going all eight innings and giving up seven hits for seven runs, three of which were earned. She struck out five and walked none.
“We out-hit them but we had six errors,” said Shockley. “It was a frustrating game.”
The Cavs were scheduled to play at Alleghany Tuesday, taking a 4-6 overall record to Low Moor. Next week the girls are at Northside Tuesday.
