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Morgantown fell short against John Marshall Wednesday night, asa then Monarchs put up four runs in the third and maintained a strong defense to advance in the winner’s bracket, 5-1.
The Mohigans got on the board first in the second inning when Mikala Rogers’ sac bunt put in Jolene Dean, but JM responded in the next frame with four runs off a Tessa Wise two-run double, ground out and error by Maris Anthony. The Monarchs tacked on their final run in the final inning on a single to centerfield by Ava Blake.
Kandice Pettit led the Monarchs in the circle with nine strikeouts and just four hits and one run against her.
Grace Hanes pitched all seven innings for MHS, allowing five runs on five hits. She struck out three.
Morgantown next plays Thursday and faces elimination from the sectional tournament. They will host Wheeling Park at 5:30 p.m. and the winner will advance to face John Marshall for the Region I, Section 1 crown.
Clay-Battelle 2, Doddridge County 1
Clay-Battelle held on for a close win over Doddridge County Wednesday night, advancing to the
winner’s side of Thursday’s doubleheader in Blacksville.
The Bulldogs edged ahead early, picking up their lone run on error in the 2nd inning. The Cee-Bees knotted things in the 4th thanks to a solo home run by Sydney Wilson. The big hit found her walked in the 6th, but Kenly Statler doubled to push Wilson to third and Liv Ammons sent a deep sac fly to take the lead.
Wilson also pitched the entire game, striking out 16 of the 23 batters faced.
The Cee-Bees will take a break today before facing the winner of South Harrison-Doddridge County at 7 p.m.
Baseball
Bridgeport 13, University 6
University pulled Bridgeport’s lead within two down the stretch in Wednesday’s sectional battle, but the Indians offense caught steam in the fifth and sixth innings to overcome the Hawks, 13-6.
University got on the board in the top of the first as Noah Braham and Aaron Forbes combined to put in two runs. After keeping the Indians off the board for two rounds at the plate, BHS’s bats came alive to drive in seven runs in the third and fourth, taking a substantial five-run lead midway through.
UHS responded with three runs in the fifth, cutting the lead to 7-5, but a single run in the bottom of the fifth and five in the sixth kept the Hawks at bay.
JD Live led the Indians at the plate, going 2 for 4 and four RBI. In total, BHS secured 13 runs on 12 hits.
Braham drove in one RBI and accounted for two runs for UHS, going 3 for 4 at the plate. UHS totaled its six runs on eight hits.
Chris Harbert (4 2/3 ip) and Austin Mann (2 1/3 ip) split time on the mound for Bridgeport, with Harbert credited with the win. He allowed five runs on five hits, walked four and struck out four.
Four Hawks stepped up to pitch in the loss, with Tony Marsh taking the loss in 3 innings. He allowed three runs on three hits and walked five. He struck out six.
University now faces elimination Thursday in the loser’s bracket game. They will host Buckhannon-Upshur at 5 p.m.
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