SUBMITTED BY COACH BILLY ESTOK

 

The 2023 softball season for Bridgeport Middle School began at the Bridgeport Softball Field Monday evening as they hosted Washington Irving and took a season-opening 15-2 win.

 

Chloe Barlow was the starting pitcher for the Lady Braves. She struck out three of the first four batters she faced.

 

In the bottom of the first for BMS with two out, Avery Humble swung at the first pitch she saw and delivered it over the centerfield fence for her first middle school homer. Mahaylee Messenger followed with a triple to left field and scored on an outfield error. The Lady Braves loaded the bases as Madilyn Fittro reached on a dropped third strike, Barlow walked, and Addyson Edwards also reached on a walk. Fittro and Barlow scored on wild pitches. After one, the Lady Braves were up 4-0.

 

BMS extended its lead to 8-0 in the second inning. Kennedy Wolfe started the inning by reaching first on a dropped third strike. After Wolfe stole second, she scored on a single by Gracia Knight. Mia Shaughnessy reached on a WIMS infield error and Knight advanced to second. Sylvia Devono entered as a courtesy runner for Shaughnessy. Humble reached first on an error that allowed Knight to score. Messenger singled to left bringing home Devono and both Humble and Messenger advanced an extra base on an outfield error. A wild pitch resulted in Humble crossing the plate.

 

WIMS got on the board by scoring two runs in the top of the third. Four walks and a single contributed to the scoring. 

 

With one out in the bottom of the third, Wolfe singled. Knight and Shaughnessy were both hit by pitches to load the bases. Humble hit into a fielder’s choice that plated Wolfe. The Lady Braves had a 9-2 advantage at this point.

 

Fittro started the bottom of the fourth with a triple to left and scored on a single by Barlow. Olivia Corder entered the game as a courtesy runner for Barlow. Addison Mike, pinch hitting for Edwards, singled. Devono, pinch hitting for Emma Dale, walked to load the bases. Wolfe grounded out and Corder scored. Olivia Bell, who entered the game defensively in the top of the fourth, singled and Mike scored. Shaughnessy tripled down the leftfield line plating Devono and Bell. Madilyn Thomas entered as a courtesy runner for Shaughnessy. Thomas scored on a two-out double by Messenger. BMS now lead 15-2.

 

Barlow held the Hilltoppers scoreless in the top of the fifth and the game ended at that point via the mercy rule.

 

Barlow was the winning pitcher and is 1-0. Her pitching line was five innings, two runs, two hits, six walks, one batter hit by a pitch, and 12 strikeouts.

 

The Braves, 1-0, return to action Thursday, March 23, when they travel to Mountaineer Middle School for a 7 p.m. start.

 

Editor's Note: Photos of game action are courtesy of Britani Edwards Photography. Third photo shows Avery Humble with her home run ball and is courtesy of Coach Billy Estok.