SUBMITTED BY BRIDGEPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL COACHING STAFF

 

The top two seeds in the Harrison County Middle School Softball Championship Tournament met yesterday evening to determine the 2017 softball champion. The game was played at the Gibson L. Barnard Memorial Field in Shinnston. 

 

This was the third meeting of the season between the number one seed Lincoln Lady Wildcats and the two-seeded Bridgeport Lady Braves. Both teams won on their home field during the regular season. BMS defeated LMS 11-6 in the first meeting and the Lady Wildcats were victorious 1-0 in eight innings in the second contest.

 

Both teams had several opportunities to score, but strong pitching by both starting pitchers squelched most of those chances.  Courtney Ramage was the starting pitcher for the home-standing Lady Wildcats and Cheyenne Martin got the call for the Lady Braves.

 

In the BMS first, Shea Herfner tripled with two out.  She was left stranded there as Ramage struck out the next batter.

 

In the LMS first, Kariss Drain singled with one out. She moved to third on an infield ground out and scored on a single by Destiny Cunningham for a 1-0 LMS advantage.

 

BMS had another scoring chance in the second when Martin and Makenzie Earp hit back-to-back two-out singles. Ramage then retired the next hitter on an infield flyout. 

 

The Lady Wildcats had another scoring chance in their half of the second. With two out, Alaina Rice reached on a BMS infield error. She moved to second when Candence Lambert was hit by a pitch. Martin put an end to the threat when she got Drain to flyout to BMS right fielder Earp.

 

Ramage held the Lady Braves scoreless over the next three innings. However, BMS was able to tie the score in the sixth inning. With one out, Hefner doubled to center field. She moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Lyda Sandy. Hefner tied the score on a wild pitch.

 

In the seventh, the Lady Braves took their only lead of the game. Olivia Kesling started the inning with a single. Kesling then stole second base. She came around to score when Martin hit a fly ball to left center field that was dropped when two LMS outfielders collided. Martin scored when Earp followed with a double. Ramage ended the scoring threat by striking out the next three BMS batters. The scoreboard now read BMS 3 and LMS 1.

 

In the bottom of the seventh, Martin retired the first batter she faced on an infield ground out. Drain followed with a single. Ramage then stepped to the plate. She hit a line drive back to the pitcher that was caught by Martin, who turned quickly and threw to first to complete a game-ending double play. Your final score was BMS 3 and LMS 1.

 

Ramage pitched a strong, complete game in defeat for the Lady Wildcats. In her seven innings of work, she allowed 3 runs, 7 hits, 0 walks, and struck out 13.

 

Martin pitched a superb game for the Lady Braves. After giving up one run in the first inning, she held the Lady Wildcats scoreless over the next six innings. Her pitching line read, 7 innings pitched, 1 run, 7 hits, 0 walks, 8 strikeouts, and 1 batter hit by a pitch.

 

These two pitchers also squared off against each other in last year’s championship game that was won by BMS by the score of 2-1.

 

This game was also the third consecutive year these two teams played for the middle school softball championship. The win gave the Lady Braves a three-peat championship.

 

The BMS coaching staff thanks the players for all of their hard work and dedication this season, the parents for all of their assistance and support, and the BMS administration for their support as well.