The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – Lydia Herstine reached a career milestone Thursday night, recording her 100th career strikeout while finishing with 13 strikeouts in Alleghany’s 9-7 junior varsity softball loss to Stuarts Draft.
Herstine dominated early in the circle, striking out three batters in the opening inning as the Cougars built a five-run lead in the bottom of the first.
Alleghany’s offense came out aggressive. Jemma Rogers opened the inning with a bunt single, while Savanna Hicks, Paelynn Osborne and Herstine each drew walks to load the bases. Elizabeth Bazzrea drove in two runs with a single to center, and Maddie Harmon followed with an RBI single as the Cougars surged ahead 5-0.
Stuarts Draft answered in the second inning behind a two-run home run from Julianne Wagner to cut the lead to 5-4.
Alleghany added another run in the third when Bazzrea scored on a passed ball for a 6-4 advantage. Harmon and Bazzrea both collected hits during the inning.
Stuarts Draft tied the game in the fourth on a two-run homer by Kyndall Kidd before taking control in the seventh. The visitors capitalized on walks, singles and an error to score three runs and move ahead 9-6.
The Cougars attempted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh. Osborne singled and later scored on an RBI single by Herstine, but Alleghany stranded a runner at third to end the game.
Harmon and Bazzrea each finished with two hits for Alleghany. Herstine added a hit and RBI to go with her 13 strikeouts in the circle.
