By Bill Nestor
With the regular season in the books, area softball teams started sectional play this past week. The pressure of winning or putting an abrupt end to the campaign has given Harrison County teams so much more to play for recently.
The following is a breakdown of how each team had done up until the press deadline with a few teams ending their seasons, while a couple of others look to continue their pursuit of a state championship.
The hottest team heading into postseason play, and, arguably, the most equipped to take a title is Lincoln. The Cougars have overcome a four game losing streak midway through the season and have been on a roll ever since. Lincoln has won six of their last seven, including their last two in Shinnston this past week. In a pair of sectional wins over Robert C. Byrd and Lewis County, the offense has been providing big time run support, averaging 16.5 runs per game.
On Wednesday, the Cougars upended RCB 14 to five in five innings. Adriana Elder went the distance in the circle for the win while helping her own cause at the plate as well. Elder was two for four with a home run and a triple, driving in four runs and scoring four runs in the win. Riley Pearlman was two for four with a home run and a double with four RBIs and a pair of runs scored.
Aspen Dyer was three of four with a couple of runs batted in. Kennedy Linville and Addison Moore also had a pair of hits. Linville also scored three times while Moore collected three RBIs.
Lexi Hardy and Kayli Thompson led the Flying Eagles with a pair of runs batted in a piece.
In game two of the week the Cougars team nuked Lewis County 19 to nine on Friday evening. Elder once again picked up the win and this time was three of five at the dish, including a home run and a triple. She also had three RBIs and scored four runs. Pearlman was two for three with a home runs scored and an RBI. Makiah Ford and Brogan Sampson each had a pair of hits in the win for Lincoln.
Bridgeport lost a heartbreaker to Lewis County on Wednesday 11 to 10. Addison Mike pitched eight and two-thirds innings for the Indians and suffered the loss. Mia Gibson, Sadie Hamrick, and Kennedy Ware allowed two hits for the Tribe in the affair.
The Tribe bounced back to eliminate RCB 11 to five on Friday. Mike went the distance for the win while collecting a pair of hits at the plate. Addison Veigel was two of four with three RBIs and three runs scored. Kyleigh Anderson had a pair of hits for Bridgeport in the triumph.
The Flying Eagles were paced by lead off hitter Khloe McAvoy. She was two of three with a home run in the contest.
South Harrison lost its opening game to Richie County seven to two on Monday in rebel territory. Emily Squires had a pair of hits to lead the Hawks at the plate in the loss. They then earned an 18 to nothing win over Braxton County on Wednesday to stay alive. Ava Look pitched a complete game, including six strikeouts. Riley Myers, Emily Squires, and Alexis Talbott all had three hits, while Alyssa Talbott had a pair for the Hawks in the win.
South Harrison’s season concluded Friday with a nine to one loss to Doddridge County. Myers, Squires, and Hayden Arbogast each collected a hit in the loss. Liberty lost to top seed Petersburg 19 to nothing on Tuesday. Gabby Forman collected a pair of hits for the Mountaineers in the loss.
Liberty’s season came to a climax with a loss to Phillip Barbour, 14 to nothing. Abby Davis had the lone Mountaineer hit in the last game in program history.
That will do it for now! Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!!!
