Softball season underway

Natalie Redick allowed no runs and only one hit, over the final three innings in the opening game of a double-header against Frankfort on Saturday, March 17, in Ridgeley, as Berkeley Springs High School Girls Softball Team held on for a 7-5 victory over their arch rival, to notch their first win of the year.

The game was scoreless until the top of the third when Berkeley Springs erupted for five runs.

Skylar Kroschinsky led off the third with a single and scored on a one-out double by Brittney Stotler. Ashton Miller and Destinee Moore both drew walks to load the bases. With the bases loaded and one out, Dallis Bishop was hit by a pitch and Redick walked to add runs two and three. After a strike out, Morgan Wachter came through with a clutch two-run single that put the Tribe up 5-0.

Frankfort came right back with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to cut Berkeley Springs lead to 5-3. The Indians increased the lead with a single run in the fourth, but the Falcons scored twice in their half of the fourth to make it a one-run game. That's when Redick settled in and took control.

"I was hoping that the third inning was our worst inning, but we let them right back in it in the fourth," said Berkeley Springs Coach Greg Brown. “We got the first two out in the fourth and then Frankfort strung together three consecutive hits, we commited two errors and Frankfort scores two runs to trim the lead to 6-5. Natalie dug down deep and allowed only one hit and three walks over the final three innings to secure our first win of the year."

The Indians out hit their Mineral County rival 9-8 with Stotler, Moore and Wachter recording two hits each. Stotler had a double, two runs scored and a RBI, Moore crossed the plate once and had a RBI, while Wachter was credited with two RBIs.

Redick went the seven innings allowing five runs on eight hits, striking out one and walking three, to even her record at 1-1.

In the nightcap Frankfort scored twice in each of the first two innings, added six more in the third and one in the fourth to beat the Indians 11-1.

"Seven walks and seven hits aren't going to win you any ball games," Brown said. “We are struggling to throw strikes with the rest of our staff right now. It is extremely hard to play defense with inconsistent pitching. The concentration and enthusiasm tends to wonder when there is no action taking place. Both teams had seven hits, but we didn't get any walks and made few base running and fielding errors; all things we can learn from."

Rhiannon Coble started and was tagged with the loss. Coble went went 2.2 innings, allowing five hits, striking out one and walking four. Stotler pitched the final 1.1 innings.

Kroschinsky and Wachter had two hits apiece. Kroschinsky scored the lone Indian run in the bottom half of the first.

"Overall, I was pleased with the split," said Brown.

Berkeley Springs came into the double-header against Frankfort 0-1 after losing the season opener to Moorefield, in Moorefield, 10-0 in three innings.

The Yellow Jackets scored six runs in the first inning and four more in the second, while Berkeley Springs was unable to get a hit in the shortened contest.

"Moorefield has a real nice ball club," Brown said. “They have above average pitching, solid defense and hit the ball extremely well. It was our first game and you could tell the nerves were there, but we were still overmatched."

Redick started and was credited with the loss. She allowed 10 runs on seven hits, striking out one and walking seven.

Though its only three games into the season, Brown is starting to piece together a starting lineup.

"We're still moving girls around in the lineup," said Brown. “Skylar (Kroschinsky) is now catching, and doing a fantastic job of it. She threw three girls out at third against Moorefield. Ashton (Miller) can play first base or outfield. When Ashton is in the outfield Stephanie Miller will play first. Morgan Wachter has been playing a little at second. I've really put Tiff Michael in a tough situation by throwing her into shortstop without warning, but she's learning. Dallis (Bishop) has looked good at third base and Destinee Moore, who is hitting the ball as well as anyone, is manning centerfield. Taylor Stull is pretty solid in leftfield."

The Indians play at Hedgesville tomorrow, March 22, with the JV beginning at 5 p.m followed by the varsity, and then host Clear Spring at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23. The Clear Spring game is varsity only.
A few schedule changes to note for the 1-2 Indians: The home varsity and JV games against Moorefield originally scheduled for March 29 have been moved to March 30. The varsity game will begin at 4:30 p.m. followed by the JV. The home varsity game against East Hardy originally scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 3 has been moved to 5 p.m. and the varsity road contest against East Hardy on April 17 has been moved up to 5 p.m. as well.