The Shadow
RALEIGH, N.C. — Patrick & Henry Community College softball bounced back in a big way Friday, sweeping a non-conference doubleheader against Wake Technical Community College by scores of 18-1 and 8-2.
With the two wins, the Patriots improve to 21–14 overall while sitting at 0–2 in Region 10 Division III play.
P&HCC’s offense was the story of the day, combining for 26 runs on 32 hits across the two games.
Freshman Trinity Aherron (Danville, Va.) led the charge in the opener with a standout performance, going 4-for-4 with four RBI. Aherron delivered a two-run home run, an RBI triple, and added two singles to pace the Patriots’ 18-1 victory.
The Patriots broke the game open early, scoring four runs in the second inning behind a two-run single from sophomore Kylie Cooper (Wirtz, Va.), Aherron’s RBI triple, and a run-scoring single from sophomore Laura Brown (Verona, Va.).
P&HCC followed with a nine-run third inning, highlighted by Aherron’s home run and a two-run double from sophomore Morgan McCrary (Bassett, Va.), along with multiple run-producing hits from sophomore Hannah Haynes (Virginia Beach, Va.).
The Patriots continued to add on in the fifth, with RBI contributions from sophomore Aris Smith (King George, Va.), freshman Sierra Custer (Grottoes, Va.), Aherron, Brown, and sophomore Hannah Frink (Vinton, Va.).
Haynes and Aherron each recorded four hits in the game, while Smith, Brown, McCrary, and Cooper added multi-hit performances. The Patriots also remained aggressive on the bases, swiping six stolen bases while playing error-free defense.
In the circle, sophomore Lily Carola (Union, W.Va.) earned the win with three shutout innings, while freshman Trinity Custer (Chatham, Va.) provided relief.
P&HCC carried that momentum into the second game, continuing to produce offensively while controlling the game in the circle.
McCrary opened the scoring with a solo home run in the fourth inning, helping spark an eight-run performance from the Patriots. P&HCC finished with 13 hits in the contest, led by Haynes, who went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. Freshman Brooklynn Hicks (Covington, Va.), Smith, and McCrary each drove in two runs, while freshman McKenzie Cobb (Yanceyville, N.C.) added two hits.
Smith earned the win in the circle, allowing just two hits and two runs over six innings while striking out five. Carola secured the save to complete the sweep.
Head Coach Robbi Campbell emphasized the team’s response following conference play.
“This was a great response from our group,” Campbell said. “We came out aggressive at the plate, executed throughout the lineup, and got strong performances in the circle. It was important for us to get back to playing our style of softball and build some momentum moving forward.”
The Patriots will return to action Wednesday with a non-conference road doubleheader against Southwest Virginia Community College, with first pitches scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
