By Stephen Henderson
The Patrick County High School Lady Cougar softball team lost to the Brookville Bees in the 3A West semifinals last Thursday night by a score of 9-0.
It was a year ago that the Lady Cougars faced a similar situation with the same team—they lost to Brookville 10-0 in that game.
Once again, Brookville’s Pitcher of the Year Jordan Dale made it difficult for the Lady Cougars to make an offensive attack; she threw a no-hitter and struck out 20 Lady Cougar batters.
PC’s Cassidy Largen was on the mound for her 18th straight game—her third game in four days.
According to Lady Cougar Coach Roger Wilson, Largen did all the team asked of her, praising her and the team for the good year they have had this season.
The Lady Cougar defense helped keep the game in check, forcing the Lady Bees to leave six runners on bases.
Brookville scored three runs in the second inning and six in the sixth inning to take the win 9-0.
Leading up to Thursday’s semifinal game, the Lady Cougars defeated Western Albermarle at DeHart Park after rains left standing water at Lady Cougar field last Monday afternoon.
The Lady Cougars picked up five runs in four innings. Savannah Moorefield had three hits and scored three runs. Brandi Woods, Abby Hutchens and Hanna Hylton each had two hits; Hutchens had a triple that drove in two runs.
Cassidy Largen had 16 strikeouts and “really fought when we needed her to at the end of the game,” Wilson said.
After Monday’s win, the Lady Cougars traveled to Rockbridge County to play the Lady Wildcats Tuesday.
“This was a tough game for all our girls,” Wilson said. “Everyone played together and fought to come out with a big win,” he added. Patrick County won 8-3.
Everyone in the order reached base and recorded a hit to total 11 hits.
Scoring didn’t start until the third inning when Sydney Biggs hit a one-out double and reached third on a throw-away. Savannah Moorefield drove her in on a single.
In the sixth inning, Moorefield started off the batting order with a solo homer over center field. Morgan Hughes singled and a RBI single from Zoe Hutchens lead to a two-run shot over center for Hannah Hylton, giving the Lady Cougars five runs in the inning.
Patrick County scored two more runs in the seventh. Morgan Hughes scored Savannah Moorefield when she put down a bunt; Melanie Roberson hit a RBI double to score Hughes.
“We had a really good year this year. The seniors (Brandi Woods, Morgan Hughes and Kelly Chandler) have been great—they have been fun to work with,” Wilson said. “I will certainly miss them—they were great leaders, and it is hard to let the go.”
The Brookville Bees went on to win the regional championship, defeating Broadway 2-1 Friday afternoon.
The Lady Cougars finished the season with an 18-5 record.
