NEW MARKET — The third-ranked team in Class 3A came to Mountie field and played as expected.
Tri-West scored in every inning and downed Southmont 15-1 in five innings Tuesday evening.
“That’s the best team we’ve seen,” South coach Dan Taylor said. “They’re even better than last year. I was proud of my girls. For playing such a good team we tried to do what we could.”
The main attraction again was Bruin junior pitcher Audrey Lowry. She tossed the first three innings and did not allow a South baserunner. But it was not from lack of effort on Taylor’s team’s part. South (1-3, 0-1 Sagamore Conference) did not shy away as they were aggressive at the plate and also on defense.
“Obviously Audrey is a great pitcher. But you saw great hitting, great defense and she throws harder than last year, I think. She pitches at a whole different level. We tried having an approach with her so we wouldn’t strike out as much and I was proud of the girls for the way they battled.”
The Bruins (4-0, 1-0 SAC) came out firing with four straight hits to open the game, plating three runs.
They added six in the second with the big blow an Ava Sullivan double that bounced off about two-thirds up on the fence.
The visitors scored four more in the third, three on senior Nicole Mathews’ opposite field home run to left center.
Everyone in the Bruin starting lineup was on base at least once. Lowry and fellow junior Emma Frye each had three hits.
South broke the zeroes in the fourth against senior reliever Lainey Price. Sophomore Anna Stokes doubled to left. Jenna Grino hit a shot to first base that was mishandled allowing Stokes to score. However, the run was erased due to an interference call. Senior Dara Watson was up next and laced a double scoring Grino. It was Watson’s first extra base hit of the season.
“I think this is the game Dara got hurt last year, hit by a pitch. Great to see her get that really big hit for us.”
Kyndale Rice went the distance on the mound, tossed 135 pitches, struck out seven and walked three.
“I thought Kyndale pitched great. She had good control and command. Give them all the credit. They hit the ball hard all the way up and down the lineup.”
Options are open for the return to Tri-West tonight. Number two pitcher Chelsea Veatch was ill Tuesday and did not play. Taylor is hoping for her return.
“We’re not disappointed. This is what we expected. You come away from a game like this knowing you did some things well. We’re going to try and do a couple different things. It gives us an opportunity to play some different people and work on our game
