Wheeling Central Catholic completed the triple play of three straight Class A state softball championships and 12th title in program history in a 12-0 shutout over the Lady Yellow Jackets on Thursday afternoon in Vienna.
“I’m very proud of these girls. They played with a lot of heart and passion. We just came up a little short. We will be back next year and stronger,” Moorefield coach Tammie Ayers remarked.
This was an entirely different game than the state tournament opening round contest between these two squads which went nine innings with the Lady Maroon Knights edging Moorefield 5-3.
The Lady Yellow Jackets proved they belonged in the state championship game by fighting through the loser’s bracket with a 15-4 win over Fayetteville and a 2-nil victory against Sherman to setup the rematch.
Having to play these other games took a toll on the pitching allotment entering the championship round with sophomore Hanna Carlson pitching against Wheeling Central Catholic in the first round and the elimination final against Sherman, while junior Rebekah Markwood and freshman Lauren Arbaugh shared duties against Fayetteville and in the championship.
There is a limit of 14 innings for one day and Carlson pitched seven innings against the Lady Tide and was given rest for a potential second championship game as Moorefield needed to win twice to garner the trophy.
There were muddy sections in the outfield as water had been removed from torrential downpour coming on Tuesday night, so navigating to catch or retrieve the ball was a little treacherous.
Wheeling Central Catholic ace pitcher Riley Bennington had 23 strikeouts in the opener against the Lady Yellow Jackets, who still found a way to push the Lady Maroon Knights to the limit.
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Bennington returned to the pitcher’s circle in the championship game allowing only three hits and issuing three walks to go along with seven strikeouts.
Starting the title contest, Moorefield leadoff batter Rebekah Markwood struck out on a full-count.
Hanna Carlson drew a walk and advanced on a groundout by Tori Humphries, then a wild pitch sent her to third base before being stranded.
Markwood’s second pitch was launched out of the park by Bennington for a home run giving the Lady Maroon Knights the early lead in the championship.
Wheeling Central Catholic’s Jairika Baylor singled up the middle into center field and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Julia Padden to Markwood before Olivia Carpenter grounded out to McGregor at second base.
Kaitlyn Ferns drew a walk on four balls, then Allison Davidson plated two runs on a grounder bouncing past the diving attempt of Moorefield shortstop Anna Riggleman as Wheeling Central Catholic went up 3-nil.
Wheeling Central Catholic’s Marissa Garlitz singled on a blooper and the ball hit Emilee Ondrik during a bunt and was sent to first base.
The Lady Maroon Knights had the bases loaded for Maria Murphy, who delivered an RBI single into left field to increase the score 4-0.
Moorefield relief pitcher Lauren Arbaugh jammed Bennington into a pop-up caught by shortstop Rebekah Markwood.
Lady Yellow Jackets junior first baseman Alyssa Vetter struck out to begin the top of the second inning, then freshman center fielder Remi Hinkle singled past a dive at second base and both runners were stranded on a pop-up to first base by Carmen Ketterman.
Arbaugh issued a walk to Baylor in the second inning before tossing a strikeout to Padden and Carpenter flew out to Humphries.
Moorefield’s Gracie O’Neill vould be seen from the dugout observing the game through makeshift binoculars made of paper cups.
Ferns sent one run home on an error and advanced to second base on the play before Davidson notched an RBI single fly ball into shallow right field for a 6-nil advantage for the Lady Maroon Knights and Arbaugh got out of the inning forcing Garlitz to pop-up to third baseman Macie Zirk.
In the third inning, Markwood singled on a grounder rolling near shortstop Julia Padden.
Bennington struck out Carlson, then Humphries poked the ball in front of second base and two infielders converged struggling to collect it and failed to make the fielder’s choice tag on Markwood.
Moorefield had two baserunners in the fourth inning as Arbaugh and Zirk drew walks with Gracie O’Neill and Haley Biser coming in as courtesy runners.
Both advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Ketterman, but couldn’t be brought home when Markwood struck out.
After a groundout by Baylor with Markwood throwing to Vetter, who stretched into a split to secure the catch there was a walk by Arbaugh to Padden.
Carpenter singled on a line drive into vented field, then both baserunners advanced on a passed ball to setup Ferns on an RBI single into left field putting Wheeling Central Catholic up 7-0.
Abigail Davidson popped out to Markwood before sister Allison Davidson ripped a two-run producing single into right field collected by Humphries, 9-0.
Murphy crushed a three-run home run over the left field fence to give the Lady Maroon Knights a 12-0 advantage.
Bennington flew out to Moorefield left fielder Remi Hinkle to retire the side, but the damage was done.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Lady Yellow Jackets went down in order ending the game as Carlson flew out to Wheeling Central Catholic left fielder Allison Davidson, Humphries grounded out to Bennington and McGregor hit a pop-up to Padden for the championship final out.
Both teams went through the customary line after the game showing good sportsmanship shaking hands before the trophy presentation occurred.
This was the third state championship in a row for the Lady Maroon Knights and the fifth time Moorefield has been the state runner-up (2004, 2012-15, 2018).
The Class A state softball tournament team sportsmanship award was given to the Sherman Lady Tide.
“It is an honor to be recognized on the all-tournament team. It means other coaches see how well I play. Everywhere we go, we have our doubters. It is us against the world,” Moorefield’s Rebekah Markwood remarked.
The Lady Yellow Jackets were cheering loudly for their teammates Carlson, Markwood, Humphries and McGregor being named to the Class A state softball all-tournament team joining Wheeling Central Catholic’s Bennington, Davidson, Garlitz, Baylor and Orndrik plus Sherman’s Autumn Thompson.
“It’s very special, especially being my first time at state. It’s an honor,” Moorefield’s Madison McGregor commented.
“To be here is an amazing honor and to be selected to the all-tournament team is another amazing honor,” Moorefield’s Hanna Carlson said.
Moorefield senior Makaleigh Snyder finished her career in Vienna.
“It’s a big honor and I wouldn’t want to be here with any other team,” Snyder noted.
Moorefield played with tremendous heart and determination the entire season and finished with an overall record of 24-10.
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