photo by Lori Younker
by Jamie Harris
The Berkeley Springs High School softball team experienced a rollercoaster week, culminating in a 1-2 record that showcased both resilience and challenges.
The week kicked off on Wednesday, April 9, as the Lady Indians hosted the East Hardy Cougars in a nail-biting showdown. Despite damp conditions and chilly weather, the game heated up quickly. East Hardy seized an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, setting a daunting tone. Berkeley Springs responded with determination, narrowing the gap to 5-1 by the third inning.
The game turned in the Lady Indians’ favor in the bottom of the fifth, as they exploded with six runs to take a 7-5 lead. Adding another run in the sixth, Berkeley Springs held on against a late surge from East Hardy, securing an 8-7 victory. This win marked a significant turnaround, snapping a seven-game losing streak for the team.
Senior pitcher Alaira Harrington was instrumental in the victory, pitching a complete game, striking out nine batters and scattering five hits. Harrington also contributed offensively with three singles and a run.
The offensive effort was well-distributed among the team, with Layla Parsell standing out with a single, triple, a run and 2 RBI’s. Scotlyn Forney added 2 singles and 2 runs, while Molly Boyles contributed with a single, double and 2 RBI’s. Payton Mizell, Hailey Adkins, Isabella Albanese, Kamryn Buck and Alaina Stevens also contributed runs and hits in a balanced team performance.
The Lady Indians continued their week on Saturday, April 12, traveling to Cumberland, Md., for the F-Club Classic hosted at Fort Hill High School. The day proved challenging as Berkeley Springs faced tough opponents. In the first game, Allegany dominated with an 18-2 victory, while in the second game, Fort Hill rallied back to secure a 12-10 win after an early 6-2 deficit.
Despite the setbacks, the Lady Indians showed resilience and teamwork throughout the week, highlighting their potential for the rest of the season.
Next up for the Lady Indians (3-7) is a busy week during Spring Break.
They played Monday, April 14 at Hancock, 4:45 p.m. and will play Wednesday, April 16 at home against Keyser, 6 p.m.; Thursday, April 17 at Saint James at 4:0 p.m.; Friday, April 18 at East Hardy, 6 p.m.; Saturday, April 19 at home against Northern Garrett at 11 a.m. and Boonsboro at 1 p.m.
