SUBMITTED BY BMS SOFTBALL COACH BILL ESTOK:

 

On April 3, the BMS Lady Braves lost 8-0 to the Robert L. Bland Lady Patriots in middle school softball action. The next day, the Lady Braves looked to rebound to their winning ways as they traveled west out U.S. Route 50 to play the Mountaineer Lady Mountain Lions.

This was the second meeting on the season between the two teams. In the first game played at the Bridgeport Softball Field, BMS defeated MMS by the score of 11-1.

 

The Lady Braves jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead via a one out walk by Mackenzi Matheny and a run scoring double off the bat of Rachel Mason.

 

MMS responded by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. Kady Crock was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a one out double by Charlee Johnson. Crock scored on a ground out to second and Johnson scored when Riley Anderson reached based on a BMS infield error.

 

In the top of the second, BMS answered with a four spot of their own. Starting pitcher Chloe Pethtel and Maddie Stallman were walked and Molli Enfield reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. One out later Kaylie Kwiatkowski singled to bring home Pethtel and Stallman and advance Enfield to third. Matheny followed with a single scoring Enfield and moving Kwiatkowski to third. One out later, Jacey Laxton doubled to right center field, Kwiatkowski scored, and Matheny was tagged out at home plate trying to score. BMS now lead 5-2

 

After holding MMS scoreless in the second, the Lady Braves tagged on four more runs in the top of the third.  Lilly Fuehner started it off with a walk and a steal of second base. One out later, Stallman singled and that brought home Fuehner.  After Stallman stole second, Enfield reached first safely on a dropped third strike. Following a double steal, Abbey Clifton reached first on a fielder’s choice that let Stallman score. Kwiatkowski grounded out to second and Enfield scored and Clifton moved to second. After a wild pitch, Clifton moved to third and Matheny followed with a walk. Matheny then stole second and Clifton scored as they attempted get tag out Matheny at second. BMS now had a 9-2

 

Mountaineer tied the game at nine by scoring seven runs in the bottom of the third. With one out, the Lady Mountain Lions had loaded bases. Lauren Yates then grounded out second to first to score their first run of the frame. Jasmine Hutson walked to reload the bases. A single by Crock, a two base outfield error off the bat of Savannah Weekley, a single by Johnson, an infield error off the bat of Anderson, and a single Kalyn McCoy brought home the remaining Mountain Lions runs.

 

 BMS regained the lead in the top of the fourth. Laxton doubled to start it off.  Fuehner singled to left and that scored Laxton. Fuehner moved to second on a passed ball. One out later, Fuehner scored when Stallman struck out but the ball was dropped by the catcher. In an effort to get Stallman, the throw sailed into right field and she ended up on third base. Enfield singled to bring home Stallman. Clifton followed with a singled to right. Kwiatkowski then singled to bring home Enfield. Matheny walked to once again load the bases for BMS. Mason reached first on a fielder’s choice that scored Clifton. Laxton, batting for the second time in the inning, singled to bring home Kwiatkowski and Matheny. Mason and Laxton then successfully completed a double steal. Fuehner followed with a single that scored Mason and Laxton. BMS now had the lead by the score of 18-9.

 

The rollercoaster game continued with the Lady Mountain Lions scoring six runs in the bottom of the third. Six singles, one double, one walk, one batter hit by a pitch, and a BMS infield error contributed to the scoring barrage. After four it was BMS 18 and MMS 15.

 

 In the fifth, the Lady Braves padded their lead with nine insurance runs. With one out, Enfield singled and Clifton walked. Kwiatkowski singled to bring home Enfield. Matheny walked to load the bases. Mason tripled to left scoring Clifton, Kwiatkowski, and Matheny. Laxton then brought Mason home with a single. Laxton then stole second and came home one out later on a single by Pethtel.  Stallman followed with a walk. Enfield then singled to right to drive Pethtel home. Clifton walked to load the bases. Two wild pitches let the final two runs to of the inning to score and a 27-15 BMS lead.

 

In the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Braves retired the Lady Mountain Lions in order and secured the victory.

 

Pethtel pitched a complete game to for the Lady Indians to earn the winning pitcher decision. She improved her pitching record to 3-0.

 

The win also improved the Lady Braves overall season record to 3-1.

 

BMS returns to action on Monday, April 8, when they play an away game against Washington Irving Middle School. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.

 

Editor's Note: Photos were submitted by BMS softball.