The Shadow
SALEM, Va. (VR) – In a thrilling doubleheader on Saturday, the Lady Cougars secured two victories, first rallying past Lebanon 9-6 in Game 1 and then holding off Salem Spartans 8-4 in Game 2.
Game 1: Alleghany Defeats Lebanon 9-6
Despite facing a five-run deficit, the Cougars showed resilience, mounting a comeback to defeat Lebanon 9-6 in a dramatic Game 1. Lebanon jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the first inning on a single by C Couch. They added to their advantage in the second after a wild pitch brought in another run and then in the third, D Hilbirt doubled on an 0-2 count to score two more runs, putting Lebanon up 5-0.
But the Cougars refused to back down. In the top of the seventh, K Kaylee Nicely blasted a homer to right field, tying the game at 5-5. Then, in the top of the eighth, Tyra Rose’s single gave Alleghany its first lead at 6-5. Lebanon responded in the bottom of the eighth, as #15 tagged up to tie the game at 6-6.
In the top of the ninth, Alleghany broke the deadlock. An error allowed one run to score, followed by a crucial single from Kelsey Nicely, extending the lead to 9-6. The Cougars’ defense and timely hitting sealed the win.
Emma Skidmore was dominant in relief, earning the win after pitching five scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out two. On the other side, Lebanon’s C Murrick took the loss, throwing all nine innings and giving up seven runs (four earned) on 12 hits. The Cougars managed 12 hits in total, with Kelsey Nicely, Kaylee Nicely, Addison Morris, and Rose each contributing two hits. Morris and Kelsey Nicely each drove in two runs in the victory.
Hilbirt was the standout for Lebanon, driving in three runs and going 2-for-4 at the plate. Despite a strong offensive effort, Lebanon couldn’t overcome the Cougars’ late-game surge.
Game 2: Alleghany Tops Salem 8-4
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Cougars again proved their ability to come from behind, claiming an 8-4 victory over the Spartans. The game began with Alleghany striking first in the top of the first when Addison Morris singled in a run. The Cougars added another run in the second as Tyra Rose grounded out, making it 2-0.
Salem responded in the bottom of the second, tying the game at 2-2 with a single by K Dalton. The Spartans took a brief lead in the third, with O Crosswhite’s RBI single giving them a 3-2 advantage. However, the Cougars fought back, tying the game at 3-3 in the fourth on Rose’s single to center field.
The turning point came in the sixth inning when Laken Cantrell delivered a three-run triple, putting Alleghany ahead 6-4. Kaylee Nicely followed with a single, extending the lead to 8-4. From there, the Cougars’ pitching and defense held firm, securing the victory.
Addyson Neff was exceptional in relief, earning the win after throwing three scoreless innings with five strikeouts and one walk. C Sparger took the loss for Salem, giving up nine runs (three earned) on 11 hits across seven innings. Rose, who started for the Cougars, allowed five hits and four runs (three earned) over four innings.
The Cougars had 11 hits in the game, with Cantrell and Rose each driving in three runs. Cantrell and Rose also recorded two hits, while Morris and Kaylee Nicely each added two hits as well.
Salem’s Dalton led the way with two hits and one RBI, but the Spartans struggled to capitalize on their six walks in the game
Coach Keith Morris had this to say after the team’s impressive doubleheader sweep: “Great TEAM win, it took every single player on our team to pull out those two wins. Both teams we played today were top tier and very good. I’m extremely proud of our girls, at no point were they ready to give up, we kept digging deep to find the extra drive to win. We have a team saying, ‘NEVER OUT OF THE FIGHT’ and we honored that today!”
