By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
The Trojans marched out to a quick 2-0 edge and the Yellow Jackets swarmed back with 17 runs in the first inning en route to a 19-2 victory during the opening game of the annual Bub Riggleman Memorial Softball Tournament at Sager Field on Friday afternoon.
Bub Riggleman was a pioneer for softball in the area and made a huge impact on the community with his coaching and mentoring.
A total of 14 teams are competing in this year’s tournament with three fields simultaneously holding games at the Moorefield Town Park for the two-day tournament.
“Honestly, I was really worried about the weather at the beginning of the week for the Bub Riggleman Tournament. We were tryin to rack our brains around how we could work around the weather, but luckily it worked out in our favor. This is my favorite time of year, softball season. I have told you before, Bub was a really special person to me. He was one of my first softball coaches and one of the first pitching coaches in our area. He helped get softball to us. It is a huge honor and such a joy to remember him. It is always a great weekend playing for Bub and makes us extra happy to be able to explain to the girls how good a coach he was and the impact he made,” Moorefield Softball coach Bridget Sions commented.
Moorefield pitcher Raleigh Kuykendall allowed a leadoff single by Hampshire’s Charly Ashton, then issued a free pass to Ava Call.
Brianna Cosner popped out to Moorefield first baseman Hannah Snyder.
The Trojans took a 2-0 lead as Molly McVicker and Kaitlyn Ferguson hit back-to-back RBI singles into right field.
Moorefield closed the side with a fielder’s choice play by third baseman Calree Haines throwing home to catcher Grace Simmons with the runner being called out on a collision for not sliding, then second baseman Seanna Heavner collected a grounder with a throw to Snyder for the third out.
Moorefield started its 17-run first inning attack as CiCi Kump reached base on an error by Ava Call.
Grace Simmons executed a bunt single for the Yellow Jackets and advanced to second base on a wild throw by Trojans catcher Charly Ashton and Kump took third base.
Moorefield’s Emmy Crites smacked a two-run producing single tying the game at 2-all.
Moorefield’s Seanna Heavner punched an RBI single into center field for a 3-2 edge.
The Yellow Jackets kept the momentum swarming as Carlee Haines crushed a two-run home run, 5-2.
Moorefield’s Hannah Snyder singled into left field and Raleigh Kuykendall (Annie Barr runner) was beaned for two more on the base path.
Hampshire pitcher Brianna Cosner struck out Brenna See, then issued a walk to Kerigan Bergdall to load the bases.
Kump plated Snyder on a fielder’s choice with Bergdall thrown out at second base.
Moorefield created an 8-2 lead as Simmons unleashed a two-RBI double into center field.
Crites kept the onslaught going with an RBI double into center field.
Heavner tapped an RBI single into center field as the Yellow Jackets went up 10-2.
Haines drew a walk from Cosner.
Moorefield senior Hannah Snyder hammered her first career home run, a three-run blast clearing the right field fence for a 13-2 advantage.
Kuykendall singled and courtesy runner Barr stole second base, then scored on an RBI single by See.
Bergdall created a two-run inside-the-park home run to give the Yellow Jackets at 16-2 lead.
Kump singled, then Hampshire pitcher Molly McVicker walked Simmons (Aubrey Kidwell runner).
A wild pitch enabled Kump to get to third base and Crites plated Kump with the help of an error for a 17-2 lead and a line drive by Heavner ended the frame which was caught by Call.
The Trojans went down in order in the second inning as Kuytkendall pitched two strikeouts and induced a groundout.
Haines drew a walk for the Yellow Jackets in the bottom of the second inning, then Snyder flew out to left fielder Ryleigh Frazier.
Kuykendall singled to center field to put runners on the corners (Keplinger baserunner).
Haines stole home, then See notched an RBI groundout for a 19-2 advantage.
Hampshire would manage a walk and single in the third inning, but wasn’t able to score with Simmons connecting to Haines for the final out at third base catching the runner as the Yellow Jackets swarmed to a 19-2 victory.
“We started behind and I didn’t know how our mood was going to be. I pulled them in and it went up from there. Sometimes you just have to give the girls some encouragement to focus. I was very happy with our production at the plate. That was Hannah’s first career home run as a senior. I was very excited for her as a senior and she has worked hard for that. I am very proud of their performance and hopefully we can keep it rolling into tomorrow,” Coach Sions concluded.
