STUARTS DRAFT – Stuarts Draft knocked Buffalo Gap from the ranks of the undefeated with a 4-3 victory on Tuesday in Shenandoah District softball action.

Gap scored first when Mckenzie Woods led off the top of the third with a triple and scored on an infield error for a 1-0 Bison.

Draft responded in its half of the third and took the lead for good. Lyla Shifflett walked to lead off the inning and scored on Lynzie Carson’s triple to tie the score. Carson scored on a single by Karlee Layne, giving the Cougars a 2-1 lead.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Shifflett walked and Carson followed with a run-scoring double for a 3-1 Draft lead.

The Cougars scored what proved to be a crucial insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Skyanne Weber and Shifflett drew back-to-back walks to start the inning and a one-out single by Layne loaded the bases. Weber scored on a sacrifice fly by Maddy Miller, making the score 4-1.

Gap’s comeback bid in the seventh inning came up just short. Avery Wheeler doubled to left with one out and a two-out double by Faith Showalter pulled Gap to within 4-2. An infield error kept Gap’s hopes alive and a base hit by Paige Showalter scored Faith Showalter to make it a one-run game. Rachel Showalter then hit a ground ball up the middle where Weber made a nice fielding play and stepped on the bag for the force out to end the game.

Faith Showalter, Wheeler and Paige Showalter each had two hits for Gap and each drove in one run.

Layne went the distance in the circle for the Cougars to pick up the win. She allowed three runs, two earned, on eight hits. Layne struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

Carson was 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot with a pair of RBIs to spark the Cougars. Layne finished 2-for-3 and drove in one run.

Alleghany 3, Fort Defiance 1

COVINGTON – Fort Defiance managed eight hits Tuesday but only pushed across on run in a tough 3-1 setback at Alleghany in Shenandoah District softball action.

Fort scored its lone run in the first inning. Caroline Hanger led off with a single and stole second base. She scored on a single by Taylor Shuler for a quick 1-0 lead.

Alleghany took the lead on Kaylee Nicely’s two-run double in the fourth and held on the rest of the way.

Alleghany’s Emma Skidmore bested Fort’s Brailyn Breeden in a strong pitcher’s duel.

Skidmore allowed one unearned run on eight hits. She struck out eight and did not walk a batter in her complete game effort. Breeden pitched five innings and allowed three runs, just one earned, on nine hits. She struck out six and did not walk a batter.

Alexis Miller and Lydia Smith each had two base hits for the Indians.

Wilson 17, Waynesboro 0

WAYNESBORO – Wilson scored five runs in the top of the first inning Tuesday and coasted to a 17-0 Shenandoah District softball win over Waynesboro.

Natalee Chandler was the catalyst for the Wilson offense, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBIs. Presley Southers also finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Harley Tibbs was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two runs batted in. Myleigh Glass was 2-for-4 with three runs scored while Miley Davis was 2-for-3 and scored three times. Emorie Hostetter was 2-for-2.

Tibbs and Hailey McClain combined to shut out the Little Gants. Both pitchers allowed one hit and both struck out four batters.

Rockbridge 22, Parry McCluer 0

LEXINGTON - Sadie Moore drove in six runs on five hits to lead Rockbridge County Wildcats past Parry McCluer 22-0 on Tuesday. Moore hit an inside the park home run in the third scoring two, singled in the fifth scoring two, singled in the second scoring one, and doubled in the fourth scoring one.

Rockbridge amassed 24 hits in the game. Page Wright, Kayleigh Rosson, Lily Thomas, Brooke Hostetter, and Willow Rogers each collected multiple hits for Rockbridge County Varsity Wildcats.

Moore also did the job in the circle, earning the victory for the Wildcats. The hurler gave up one hit and zero runs over five innings, striking out nine and walking none.

4/21 Softball: Draft Hands Gap Its First Loss and more...