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The University softball team shut out Buckhannon-Upshur 8-0 on Saturday to claim the Region I, Section 2 crown, sweeping the sectional tournament.
It wasn’t a lock-in deal, though.
The Hawks claimed a run in the bottom of the 1st, but both teams went scoreless through the following three innings, making it anyone’s game.
Still, the Hawks held tough behind a strong performance from star Autumn Stemple, who threw five shutout innings. Stemple had 12 strikeouts and kept the Buccaneers off the board.
It was in the bottom of the 5th when UHS sealed the game, posting seven straight runs after picking up two outs on the first two at bats. Three singles and a walk started the drive, capped by a Lindsay Vorndran double liner to left field.
Lauren Huebsch led UHS at the plate with a 1 for 2 performance, accounting for two of the teams five RBIs.
UHS will next face John Marshall in the Region I title game after the Monarchs claimed Section 1 with a shutout win over Morgantown Friday night.
Clay-Battelle 4, Doddridge County 1
Clay-Battelle claimed the Region I, Section 2 title Saturday night with a 4-1 win over Doddridge County.
Kenley Statler was huge for the Cee-Bees, logging three RBIs, kicking off the scoring for C-B in the third inning. The Bulldogs tied things up in the fourth, but C-B kicked into high gear in the fifth, sending three runners home with two outs on the board.
Baseball
Bridgeport 11, University 3
The University baseball team’s season came to a close Saturday with an 11-3 loss to Bridgeport in the Region I, Section 2 tournament.
The Indians picked up three quick runs in the first and second innings, taking the early lead, but the Hawks responded in the second and third with three of their own to tie it after three. After failing to take the lead in the top of the fourth, BHS dashed any hopes of a redemption by posting eight runs in the bottom of the frame before holding tight to keep UHS scoreless through the remaining three innings.
Ryan Goff and Drew Hougue led the Indians at the plate with two RBIs each. At the mound, Ben McDougal took the win for BHS in five innings, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out 10.
Avante Neal took the loss for UHS in their finale, pitching 3 1/3 innings and giving up 10 runs on six hits. He walked five and struck out three. Bridgeport will next face Morgantown in the Region I title game.
Tennis
Carver finishes as No. 4 singles runner up
Morgantown’s Sam Carver fell to Huntington’s Sophia Agrawal in the No. 4 singles title game Saturday, 6-0, 6-1.
In total, four of the Mohigans’ six losses came to the Highlanders who claimed the team state title. Morgantown finished tied for 5th.
“Sam had a wonderful season for us, losing only two matches all year, and she is only a sophomore,” MHS coach Ted Greenlee said. “We expect big things from her the next two years.”
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