The Shadow
LOW MOOR, Va. (VR) – With the Region 2C playoffs heating up and the stakes sky-high, the Alleghany Cougars stormed into the quarterfinals with fire in their eyes—and they left the diamond with a statement-making 4–1 victory over Western Albemarle Monday night.
Skidmore was untouchable. The Cougar ace was locked in from the opening pitch, dealing seven powerful innings with absolute command. She gave up just six hits, allowed only one earned run, and struck out nine batters in a dazzling complete-game performance that will go down as one of the season’s best. With 110 pitches—72 for strikes—Skidmore didn’t just pitch; she controlled the game.
And her teammates backed her with the kind of gritty, all-out effort that defines postseason softball.
The Cougar offense came alive with fearless swings and clutch execution. Laken Cantrell was everywhere—getting on base three times with a single and two walks, stealing a base, and driving in a crucial run. Kaylee Nicely crushed an RBI double that brought Cougar fans to their feet, adding to her 1-for-3 night that gave Alleghany breathing room late in the game.
Tyra Rose delivered both at the plate and on the base paths, racking up an RBI single, a run scored, and relentless energy that kept WSTR on its heels. Kelsey Nicely and Paige Webb each added hits and runs scored, staying patient and aggressive in the batter’s box. Webb also worked a walk, contributing to the Cougars’ seven total walks on the night.
Alleghany tallied six hits and three RBIs, but what made the difference was the team’s refusal to let scoring chances slip away. Even without fireworks, the Cougars made every swing count. Brooklyn Hicks added a hard-hit double of her own and provided solid defense up the middle, while catcher Brianna Terrell drew two walks, scored a run, and held things down behind the plate like a seasoned veteran.
Defensively, Alleghany was steady under pressure. Despite a couple of miscues—errors by Hicks and Addison Morris—the Cougars held strong, shutting the door on Western Albemarle after a fourth-inning hiccup. With Skidmore dealing and the defense staying locked in, there was no way this team was letting the lead slip away. The Virginian Review spoke to head coach Keith Morris after the game he stated “We played good. Got some things going when we needed it, pitching was stellar. We will go into tomorrow with the same mindset we’ve had all year. We know a little bit about broadway and will adjust”
Now, with momentum building and confidence soaring, Alleghany sets its sights on the next challenge.
The Cougars will host Broadway at home on Tuesday in the Region 2C semifinals. First pitch is set for 5 p.m
