BMS Softball Team Defeats Doddridge County, 17-7
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on April 21, 2025
SUBMITTED BY BMS SOFTBALL COACH BILLY ESTOK
Last week, the BMS Lady Braves had three games on the schedule. In the first two games, BMS defeated Mountaineer Middle School and lost to the Taylor County Lady Knights. The third game was last Friday, and the Lady Braves went on the road to take on Doddridge County Middle School (DCMS).
The game was played at Doddridge County High School and BMS won 17-7.
DCMS took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. A leadoff walk, a one out single, and a two out walk loaded the bases. Another single and two BMS infield errors contributed to the scoring.
The Lady Braves responded with a seven-run outburst in the top of the second. Mara Beverage started the frame with a single. One out later, Nora Martin walked, and Chloe Via entered as her courtesy runner. BMS starting pitcher, Samara Smith, singled to bring home Beverage. Julie Hall entered as a courtesy runner for Smith. Olivia Chapman worked out a walk to load the bases. Peyton Kelley hit into a force play that got Via out at the plate, but the bases remained loaded.
Molly Frenzel singled to centerfield that brought both Smith and Chapman home. Payton Fisher walked to load the bases once again. Olivia Fittro singled to center to bring home Kelley and Frenzel. Beverage reached safely on an infield single to load the bases. Annie Veigel singled and Fisher scored on the play and BMS had a 7-3 advantage.
DCMS scored twice in the bottom of the second. A two out batter hit by a pitch, a walk, and a BMS throwing error allowed the two runs to score. After two innings, DCMS had cut the BMS lead to 7-5.
Back-to-back singles by Fittro and Beverage started the BMS fourth. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. Veigel grounded out to second and Fittro scored on the play. Martin singled up the middle and Beverage scored to make the 9-5 in favor of BMS.
DCMS scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth. The leadoff batter was hit by a pitch and stole second. One out later, a BMS infield throwing error allowed one run to score. Another BMS infield error put runners on second and third. With two outs, a single to center plated one run but the second runner was cut down at the plate off a strong throw home by Frenzel. The scoreboard read BMS 9 and DCMS 7.
Kelley and Frenzel singled to start the top of the fifth. One out later, Fittro walked to load the bases. Beverage grounded to short, but Frenzel was called out due to runner’s interference. The bases remained loaded as a result of the play. Veigel singled to center to bring home Kelley and Fittro and Beverage took third. Veigel stole second. Martin singled to bring home both Beverage and Veigel. The Lady Braves owned a 13-7 lead.
The Lady Braves extended their lead in the top of the sixth. Brianna Bailey, pinch hitting Chapman, doubled to the right centerfield gap to start the inning. Kelley singled and Bailey advanced to third. After Kelley stole second, Frenzel singled to bring Bailey across the plate and Kelley took third. One out later, Kelley scored on an infield ground out by Fittro. Beverage singled center to plate Frenzel. Back-to-back singles by Veigel and Martin allowed Beverage to cross home plate. The Lady Braves now held a 17-7 advantage.
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, DCMS loaded the bases with a single and two walks. The game ended on a line drive caught by shortstop Fisher who then stepped on second base for an unassisted double play.
Beverage and Frenzel each had four hits and Veigel had three hits in the game.
Smith pitched a complete game for the win. Her pitching line read six innings, seven runs, five hits, five walks, three batters hit by a pitch, and seven strikeouts. For Smith, it was her first varsity middle school pitching start and her first varsity win. Her season record is 1-0.
The win evened the Lady Braves season record at 2-2.
The Lady Braves upcoming schedule has three home games. They will play East Fairmont Middle School on Tuesday, April 22, at 1 p.m. On Thursday, April 24, they host the Lincoln Lady Wildcats at 5:30 p.m. On Friday, April 25, Buckhannon Upshur Middle School comes to BMS for a 5 p.m. start. The Friday game will also be eighth grade recognition night.
Editor's Note: Photos courtesy of Ashley Smith Photography.
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