By Stephen Henderson

Last Monday evening at Blacksburg, the Patrick County High School Lady Cougar softball team lost to the Lady Bruins 8-7 in eight innings. However, PC defeated the Lady Bruins 7-0 Thursday at home on Lady Cougar Senior Night.

In Monday’s game, Savannah Moorefield went 4-4 with a walk, scoring three runs. Makenzie Watts went 2-5, scoring two runs and reached twice by error. Melanie Roberson went 2-5 with a two-RBI double and an RBI single; she scored once. Abby Hutchens had a single and a double while Zoe Hutchens had two singles and one RBI. The Lady Cougars finished with 13 hits

Patrick County went ahead in the top of the third with three hits in a row—singles from Moorefield and Watts, and a two-RBI double from Roberson. Roberson would score from a single by Zoe Hutchens to put the Lady Cougars up 4-3.

The Lady Bruins went ahead in the bottom of the frame, 6-4, and got another run in the fourth. In the sixth inning, the Lady Cougars pushed runs across again to tie it up 7-7.

All three pitchers threw: Cassidy Largen, Josie Pendleton, and Hannah Beasley. “They did some great work,” said Coach Roger Wilson. “Our defense wasn’t as strong as it usually is, and we allowed some hits and runs,” he added.

On Wednesday, after the Lady Cougar seniors were recognized, it was a completely different ball game.

After what started as a very emotional night for half the team, because half the team is seniors, the Lady Cougars were finally productive with the bats in the fourth inning. They put two singles together back to back from Sydney Biggs and Zoe Hutchens. Hanna Hylton laid down a textbook bunt that loaded the bases. With bases loaded and two outs, Senior Savannah Moorefield cleared the bases with a triple to the right center fence.

Then again, in the sixth, Sydney Biggs and Melissa Pendleton each reached by singles and twin Morgan Biggs RBI singled scoring her twin. Morgan Biggs and Pendleton would score off a homerun over the left center fence from Savannah Moorefield.

Patrick County finished with 10 hits in the game.

Largen threw the complete shut-out, going all seven innings with 10 strikeouts, one walk and two hits.

“It was a great night, especially after losing on Monday,” Wilson said. “It’s good to see the girls come together like they have over the past couple of days and redeem themselves the way they did,” he added.

“We only have one more game on the season with Tunstall, and we are excited to see them play the way they did tonight. This gives us momentum to finish the season strong,” said Wilson.

“We are truly going miss these six seniors. It’s rare to have what these girls have. They’ve been playing together since they were about eight years old, and that’s something that you have every year. We wish them all the best in their next chapters as they all go their own ways,” he said.

Patrick County’s record 15-3 going into the final regular season game at Tunstall Tuesday.