The Shadow
PATRICK COUNTY, Va. (VR) – On a crisp spring afternoon, the Alleghany Junior Varsity Cougars brought the heat — and the bats — in a dominant 25-5 win over Patrick County High School on Tuesday. Leading the charge was Ally Cottrell, who delivered a monster performance with four RBIs on two clutch hits to fuel an offensive explosion that left Patrick County’s head spinning.
Cottrell wasted no time getting in on the action, ripping a two-run single in the second inning as part of a furious eight-run rally that broke the game wide open. But she wasn’t alone in the offensive onslaught — the entire Cougar lineup put on a clinic in patience, power, and hustle.
The Cougars came out swinging, putting up six runs in the first inning. Savanna Hicks set the tone with a bases-loaded walk, Abby Patterson followed by getting plunked to drive in another, and Analiese Webb’s single plated two more. Paelyn Osborne capped off the inning with an RBI single that had the Alleghany dugout fired up early.
By the second inning, the Cougars were in full command. Walks, errors, and timely hitting allowed them to post eight more runs — a nightmare frame for Patrick County pitchers. Hicks added an RBI single, and Cottrell again came through, cashing in two more with a well-placed shot into the outfield.
Alleghany wasn’t done yet. The third inning turned into a nine-run fireworks display, with Ava Howard smacking an RBI double, Patterson ripping one of her own, and Callie Uzzell adding a run-scoring single. Even a fielder’s choice off the bat of Martina Hubbard resulted in a run — proof that the Cougars could do no wrong at the plate.
In the circle, Brooklyn Taylor held things down for Alleghany, allowing just two hits over five innings and striking out five. Though five runs crossed the plate, none were earned, as the Cougars’ defense backed her up with solid fielding and even turned a double play.
Offensively, Alleghany pounded out 11 hits and drew 10 walks. Howard and Cottrell led the hit parade with two apiece, while Hicks, Osborne, and Howard each drew two free passes. The Cougars also showed their wheels, swiping seven bases — with Maddy Lowry and Cottrell each grabbing two.
For Patrick County, Hubbard gave a gutsy effort in the circle despite facing a relentless Cougar lineup. At the plate, she led the team with two hits, while Meredith Wood and Kaylee Belcher each notched an RBI. Bella Martin showed plate discipline with two walks as Patrick County tried to mount resistance against the Cougars’ surge.
The girls will be back in action on Thursday at home when they take on James River.
