
By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
The Yellow Jackets tamed the Colts in the Class AA Region Il Section 2 Softball playoffs twice by the sme scores of 10-2 this past week at Sager Field.
In the playoff opener on Tuesday, Moorefield was led at the plate by CiCi Kump with four hits including two triples and a double, four runs scored and two RBI.
Grace Simmons and Raleigh Kuykendall each contributed two hits for the Yellow Jackets.
Aryana Hinz pitched three strikeouts in the playoff opener win.
“I told myself early on that we will hit the ball when we get down. I am very confident in us hitting the ball. They are a solid hitting team and they work hard on their fundamentals. I have girls that work hard even on Sunday with their dads in the cage. They go extra hours and that pays big dividends. When you get them up, they keep on going and going. We were able to shut them down defensively and Annie shut them down. The girls are a different breed to coach and just have to learn what flows and do their best and encourage them in the right direction,” Moorefield Softball coach Bridget Sions stated.
Kump started the game smashing a triple into center field, then scored on an RBl groundout by Simmons.
Carlee Haines drew a walk, then Kuykendall singled into center field.
After a flyout, Emmy Crites delivered a two-run producing laser single into center field for a 3-nil advantage. Philip Barbour responded with two runs in the second inning, but that is all the Colts would obtain the rest of the game.
Hicks smacked a two-RBI single for the Colts to cut the deficit to 3-2 (Cooper 1B, Holbert 2B). McDaniel and Starkey singled, but the Yellow Jackets defense retired the side with a double play as Haines caught a line drive and took a dive back to third base.
Moorefield’s Brenna See was given a walk by Hicks, then advanced on a scare bunt by Kerigan Bergdall.
Kump slapped an RBI single into left field and would later steal home to put the Yellow Jackets ahead 5-2.
The Colts went down in order during the third inning on catches by Kump, Bergdall and Heavner.
Moorefield’s Barr drew a walk with two outs, but was left aboard the bases on a groundout.
Holbert singled for Philip Barbour, then Barker hit into double play as Moorefield right fielder Brenna See made a catch and throw to first baseman Raleigh Kuykendall prior to retiring the side on another catch by See.
Kump doubled with one out on the fourth inning for the Yellow Jackets, then Simmons notched a single.
Haines plated both runners on an RBI groundout to second base for a 7-2 lead. Kuykendall singled and Heavner smashed a double before the runners were stranded on a groundout.
Moss and Wilmoth singled for the Colts with two outs, then a fielder’s choice by Bergdall prevented a score.
See was issued a free pass with Caroline Auville coming in as a runner and stealing second base before Bergdall plated Auville with the assistance of an error.
Kump crushed two-run producing triple into center field to create a 9-2 lead.
Simmons launched an RBI single into right field for the final score of 10-2. After an 8-0 loss to Petersburg, the Yellow Jackets faced off again against Philip Barbour on Thursday in the elimination game seeking to bounce back into the sectional championship series against the Vikings.
Annie Barr pitched four strikeouts in the 10-2 win for Moorefield.
