By: Adam Freeman
Mt. Lion softball began its week with a doubleheader trip to Marlinton, WV, to take on the Warriors of Pocahontas County. The first game saw the teams tied at one run each at the end of the first; however, Tucker pounded the ball in the second to the tune of five runs and never looked back, claiming the win 15-6. TCHS collected 11 hits in the ballgame. Isabelle Bennett led the way with two hits and four RBIs, while Peyton Hicks and Bella Loucks added two hits each. Hicks got the win for Tucker, striking out 11 batters and allowing only four hits.
The second matchup was much like the first, as Tucker jumped out to a 3-0 lead and extended it to 11-0 by the end of the third inning to pull away for a final score of 16-1. Bennett notched four hits in the game with three RBIs, while Hicks collected three hits with two RBIs. Loucks and Lorelai Wilfong also had multiple hits with two apiece. Hicks was again a standout on the rubber for the Mt. Lions, recording nine more strikeouts and allowing only one run.
Tucker then wrapped up its regular season with a home loss to the defending state champions from Franklin, the Pendleton County Wildcats. Tucker trailed just 2-0 after the first inning and 4-0 after three innings. The fifth inning proved to be the difference as Pendleton scored five runs to make the score 9-0, which stood as the final. The ladies struggled at the plate in this one, managing just one hit from Bennett.
This wraps up regular season play for the Mt. Lions as they now host Pocahontas County in the first round of regional play on Monday, the 11th. If the Mt. Lions win, they will travel to Pendleton County on Tuesday, the 12th.
