University falls to Cabell Midland 6-5, faces uphill battle on Saturday
SOUTH CHARLESTON – The University High School softball team will have to rally on Saturday to defend its 2024 state title after falling to Cabell Midland 6-5 in the nightcap on Friday.
Cabell Midland jumped ahead early with three runs in the second inning against UHS. The Knights took advantage of a defensive miscue to score their first run, then added two more on back-to-back singles by Nicole Harris and Becca Conrad.
The Hawks responded in the fourth. Lexi Elza's sacrifice bunt led to a throwing error that brought home the Hawks' first run, followed by a successful bunt from Adalyn Brown that plated Kylin Oliveto, trimming the Knights' lead to 3-2.
In the bottom of the fourth, Baylee Smith delivered an RBI double to extend Midland's lead to two runs. But the Hawks answered again in the fifth when Masoner's sacrifice fly scored Kelsey Park, who had opened the inning with a triple.
UHS threatened to tie the game that inning, stranding the potential tying run at third. In the sixth, they came close again, but Midland centerfielder Ellie McCormill made a crucial diving catch to rob Brown of extra bases for the second out. That play proved even more significant when Madison Shaver followed with a single.
But the UHS defense faltered in the sixth, committing two costly errors. One came on an infield single by Ellie McCormill, which was already enough to score a run, but instead allowed an additional run to cross the plate, extending Cabell Midland's lead to 6-3.
Still, the Hawks weren't done. In the top of the seventh, Kelsey Park drew a leadoff walk, and Maddie Campbell followed with a towering home run to left field, cutting the deficit to one and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
The Knights' junior pitcher, Audrea Watts, delivered a clutch performance, recording her 13th strikeout with the bases loaded to secure the win. Earlier in the day, Watts had thrown a no-hitter against St. Albans, leading Cabell Midland to a 6-1 victory. With a 2-0 record on the day, the Knights are now one win away from clinching the state championship.
Cabell Midland took an early lead against University, scoring three runs in the second inning. The rally began with an error that allowed the first run to score, followed by singles from Nicole Harris and Becca Conrad to bring in the next two. University responded with a two-run homer from Maddie Campbell and a double by Sophia Lehosit, putting the Hawks within striking distance. However, Watts' final strikeout ended the threat and preserved the Knights' lead.
University will face Jefferson in an elimination game on Saturday morning, with the winner needing to defeat Cabell Midland twice to claim the title. Meaning, UHS will need three victories on Saturday to claim the Class AAAA state championship.
BOX SCORE
Cabell Midland 6, University 5
UHS 000 210 2 – 5 8 2
CMHS 030 102 X – 6 7 1
University (1-1) – Park 3210 Campbell 3112 Lehosit 4020 Masoner 2021 Elza 3000 Cox 3000 Brown 3001 Shaver 2020 Walls 1100 Royce 3000
2B: Park, Lehosit
HR: Campbell
Cabell Midland (2-0) – Harris 4121 Conrad 2211 Smith 3011 McCormick 4010 Watts 3000 Elkins 1000 McCallister 2010 Harless 1000 Norris 1010 Salmons 2100 Hess 2100
2B: Smith
3B: Harris
(W) Watts 7.0ip 8h 5r 3bb 13k
(L) Lehosit 3.0ip 4h 3r 5bb 3k
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