BSHS Softball season ends

Frankfort High School eliminated the Berkeley Springs High School Softball Team from postseason play with a 12-0, five-inning, shutout of the Tribe on Wednesday, May 2, in Ridgeley, a day after edging the Lady Indians, 7-6, in extra innings.

It was certainly night and day between the two games, as Berkeley Springs only managed one hit on Wednesday, after banging out nine hits, including two home runs on Tuesday.

"We just weren't the same team from Tuesday night," said Berkeley Springs Coach Greg Brown. “We got down early and couldn't battle back."

Frankfort scored two runs in the first inning and then took total control of the game with an eight-run second.

"Rhinnanon (Coble) struggled early and when we brought in Natalie she wasn't going to fool anyone after just seeing her for eight innings the day before."
Frankfort added two runs in the fourth for the final margin of victory.
Berkeley Springs lone hit was a single by Ashton Miller.

The first game between the longtime rivals was played on Tuesday, May 1, in Keyser.
The Indians got off to a fast start when Brittney Stotler hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning.

Frankfort scored three times in each the second and third innings to take a 6-3 lead, after Berkeley had added a run in the third.

Still trailing 6-3 in the top of the sixth, Ashton Miller came through with a three-run home run to tie the game at 6-6. Neither team was able to score in the seventh and the game headed to extra innings, where the Falcons pushed a run across in the bottom of the eight to claim the 7-6 win.

Redick started for Berkeley Springs and went all eight innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits, striking out two and walking three.

"We made the majority of our errors early and allowed three unearned runs," said Brown. “From that point on we played great. The girls never gave up and then Ashton came through with the big three-run blast in the sixth to tie it up. Then we came up with some good defense in both the sixth and seventh innings to stay alive. Frankfort had runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the seventh and their batter hit a line drive to third base that Dallis Bishop made a nice play on. And, then she had the instincts to tag the runner out trying to get back to third. We just couldn't push a run across when we needed it. Natalie pitched a great game. Her defense just put her in a hole early."

Miller had the three-run shot, Stotler had a single and scored two runs to go along with her two-run home run, while Morgan Wachter had a single, a double, with two runs scored, to lead the Indian offense.

Despite being sent home early, and ending the year 6-20, Brown is already looking forward to 2013.

"I'm already excited about next year," said Brown. “We'll have a handful of experienced juniors back, two current freshmen that started nearly every game, along with a big incoming freshman class that are all playing "travel ball" this summer. They will come in ready to fight for starting jobs and should provide some immediate help. We are going to get this ship pointed in the right direction."