SUBMITTED BY BMS COACH BILLY ESTOK

 

On April 11, the Bridgeport Middle School Lady Braves traveled via school bus to Marion County to play the Barrackville Pups in softball action and captured an 11-2 win. This was the first game action in a week for the Lady Braves.

 

The Lady Braves jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. With one out, Mackenzi Matheny singled and stole second. One out later, Jacey Laxton doubled to left field and that scored Matheny. The throw from left was late to get Matheny at the plate, but Laxton was thrown out at third trying to extend her hit into a triple.

 

Bridgeport extended its lead in the third inning. Chloe Pethtel doubled to left center field to start the frame. Two outs later, Kaitlyn Archer-Lewis walked to put runners on first and second. Following a successful double steal, both came around to score on a single off the bat of Abbey Clifton.

 

Barrackville scored one run in the third. With one out Alyssa Kincaid doubled. One out later, Angelina Collins singled to score Kincaid. After three innings of play, Bridgeport held a 3-1 lead.

 

In the top of the fourth, starting pitcher Maddie Stallman was the first batter and she singled to right field. Molli Enfield entered the game as a courtesy runner for Stallman. Enfield then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Archer-Lewis followed with a single that scored Enfield. Clifton reached first on an unsuccessful fielder’s choice. Kaylie Kwiatkowski followed with an infield single to load the bases. Matheny worked out a walk to reload the bases and bring home Archer-Lewis. Rachel Mason followed with a smash to left field for a two-run scoring double. Laxton grounded out pitcher to first and that brought Matheny home and advanced Mason to third. Mason then attempted to score on a pitch in the dirt, but was tagged out in a run down. In the middle of the fourth, the lady Braves now owned an 8-1 lead.

 

In their half of the sixth inning, BMS plated three additional runs. Matheny lead off by reaching first on a Pups infield error. Matheny then stole second and came around to score on Mason’s second double of the game. Mason then stole third base and that was followed by a walk to Laxton. Laxton then stole second. Mason crossed the plate on a wild pitch with Laxton moving to third on the play. Laxton then scored on a passed ball. The Lady Braves had extended their lead to 11-1.

 

In the bottom of the sixth, Adrianna Floyd hit a double to start the inning. Kaitlyn VanGilder singled Floyd home with the Pups final run of the game.

 

Stallman pitched a complete game to earn the pitching win for the Lady Braves. Her pitching line read six innings, two runs, five hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. The win improved her pitching record on the season to 1-1. The victory gave the Lady Braves an overall season record of four wins and one loss.

               

The Lady Braves return to action Tuesday, April 23, when they host Buckhannon Upshur Middle School at the Bridgeport Softball Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.

 

Two previous softball games that were cancelled earlier in the season have been rescheduled. The Lady Braves will now play at Washington Irving Middle School on Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m. The other game was against Lincoln Middle School and it will be played on Friday, May 3, at 5 p.m. at the Bridgeport Softball Field.

 

Editor's Note: Photos also submitted by Coach Billy Estok.