LOST CREEK — South Harrison pitcher Alexis Shaw never panicked.
The Trinity Christian softball team had the bases loaded in the fourth and fifth innings and runners at second and third in the sixth inning, but each time Shaw pitched out of the jam and the Warriors stranded those runners.
Shaw pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts in the Hawks’ 9-3 victory over Trinity Christian in the Class A Region II, Section 2 quarterfinal on Tuesday at South Harrison.
“She has definitely come full circle this year and has pitched the whole team out of some stuff,” South Harrison coach Andi Koontz said. “I’m really proud of Lexi. She’s stronger this year, and I’m very impressed with her.”
South Harrison will now travel to Doddridge County at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Trinity Christian hosts Tygarts Valley at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Clay-Battelle will face the winner of the Trinity Christian andTygarts Valley game.
More specifically, Shaw allowed three runs on eight hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts.
Trinity Christian stranded 12 runners.
“Some of it (was were are) young, inexperienced, nervous, it’s our first time here,” Trinity Christian coach Colony Hopkins said. “They just didn’t play the way I know they can. They were scared, and it showed. We made some errors in the field physically and we made a ton of mental errors as well. Hopefully, we learn from it and come back tomorrow ready to play.”
Although Trinity Christian jumped out to a 1-0 lead on an RBI single from Hannah Titus, the Hawks added three runs in the bottom of the first.
With the game tied at 1-1, Kaylee Lindsey and Hope Woods each advanced to third and to second on a wild pitch. Ayva Thomas hit a pop fly that the Trinity Christian School first baseman dropped, allowing Lindsey to score, Woods to reach third and Lindsey to score.
The ensuing batter, Abbi Cowger, hit an RBI single to left field, stretching the South Harrison lead to 3-1.
“I think the girls weren’t as much in their heads tonight, and that helped,” Koontz said. “They were ready to bat.”
Trailing 4-1, the Warriors got closer in the top of the third as Paige Hopkins hit a 3-2 pitch that took a single bounce before being gloved in right field, resulting in an RBI single and cutting the Warriors’ deficit to 4-2.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Hawks, with one out, loaded the bases. Then, Hope Woods, on a 1-2 pitch, hit a line drive to center field that rolled under the glove of the Trinity Christian center fielder, allowing two runs to score.
Shaw helped herself with an RBI single to center field, and two batters later, with Molly Thomas batting, Alexis Peck scored from third base on a wild pitch: 8-2 Hawks.
For the Hawks, Lindsey was 2 for 3 and scored three runs. Cowger was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Alissa Talbott was 2 for 2 and scored two runs. Woods was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Shaw was 1 for 4.
For Trinity Christian, Moore was 2 for 2 and scored three runs. Hopkins was 2 for 4 with two RBIs.
In the top of the sixth, after Peyton Moore was intentionally walked and stole second and third, Hopkins hit an RBI single to center field for the Warriors’ final run.
By Andrew Wilson/WV News
