The Shadow
CROZET, Va. (VR) – The Alleghany varsity softball team’s post season came to an end Saturday with a hard-fought 4-3 loss to Western Albemarle in the Region 3C Quarterfinals. The Lady Cougars finished the 2026 campaign with a 14-7 record.
Saturday’s contest also marked the final game in an Alleghany uniform for seniors Peyton Broughman, Addyson Neff, Kaylee Nicely and Emma Skidmore.
Alleghany jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning while holding Western Albemarle scoreless. The Lady Cougars added another run in the third to build a 3-1 advantage.
Western Albemarle answered in the bottom of the sixth inning with three runs, taking a 4-3 lead that would stand through the final out.
The Lady Cougars collected nine hits in the loss. Maddy Lowry went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Paige Webb finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and a double. Kaylee Nicely capped her Alleghany career with a 2-for-4 performance that included a double and a run scored.
Brianna Terrell went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, Brooklyn Taylor added a hit, and Abby Patterson recorded a pinch-hit single. Emma Skidmore, Peyton Broughman, Callie Uzzell and Ava Howard also saw action for Alleghany.
Nicely and Webb accounted for the team’s extra-base hits with doubles. Nicely and Webb each finished with three total bases, while Lowry added two.
In the circle, Skidmore turned in a complete-game effort. The senior threw 108 pitches, 67 for strikes, and faced 29 batters over six innings. Alleghany committed no errors defensively, while Western Albemarle was charged with one.
Despite the season-ending loss, the Lady Cougars closed the year with 14 victories and a regional playoff appearance
