New Kent softball wins first state title in program history | 804 Varsity
3 min readTrojans pitcher Morgan Berg had 10 strikeouts and allowed two hits in a entire-video game shutout, region participant of the calendar year McKenna Mueller singled and scored a run, and New Kent softball won its initially-at any time point out championship with a 3- victory around Lord Botetourt (Daleville) Saturday at Spotsylvania Large in the Class 3 title video game.
Trojans mentor Maria Bates, a former New Kent participant, claimed her software has been condition runner-up a handful of moments, together with very last period. So last but not least getting above the championship hump was significantly sweet for a group that returned six starters from past year’s squad.
“The last 3 or four many years, every single calendar year, we get a person stage nearer,” Bates explained.
“We’ve type of been knocking on the door. This is the year that all the pieces fell in position. … They knew how to manage adversity, they understood how to manage substantial-tension eventualities.”
New Kent jumped out to a 2- guide in the initially inning. Senior leadoff hitter Norah Murray achieved on a bunt, then sophisticated to next foundation on a throwing mistake.
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Standout freshman Alline Alexander, who’s hitting about .500 on the year and has designed a handful of emphasize-reel plays at 3rd base all through New Kent’s playoff operate, gave the Trojans a guide with an RBI-double.
Mueller state-of-the-art Alexander to third on a fielder’s choice, and Berg drove Alexander in on a groundout.
New Kent additional an coverage run in the sixth when Mueller led off with a single, Berg highly developed her to next on a bunt and freshman Abbie Kegley singled to drive Mueller in and make it 3-.
The Cavaliers innovative a person runner to scoring place all recreation, and Mueller threw a laser to third foundation for an outfield aid to halt the runner there in a critical third-inning sequence. Bates said the Trojans’ staff protection has achieved an additional degree this time, and their electricity at the plate has also been a key boon with 23 household runs collectively.
Also a standout volleyball and basketball participant, Trojans mentor Maria Bates referred to as Mueller her program’s “rock.”
“Due to the fact she arrived on as a freshman, her leadership has been amazing,” Bates claimed. “She prospects by illustration.”
Right after her workforce recorded the closing out, Bates commenced to contextualize the historic accomplishment.
“I’m just so happy of these women. Not a whole lot of folks outside the house our method imagined we’d be back again this calendar year,” Bates stated.
“The girls took that and it designed them get the job done more challenging. It was an extraordinary season. I adore this team so much and I am so glad we received to practical experience this alongside one another.”
