By: Adam Freeman
The Tucker Valley Wildcat softball team celebrated five eighth-grade players last Tuesday, May 5, at home against Elkins Middle. Tucker jumped out to an early lead over the Hornets, holding a 4-1 advantage after the first inning. The Wildcats added two more runs in the second while holding Elkins scoreless to extend the lead to 6-1. Both teams scored once in the third, but Elkins’ bats came alive in the fourth inning, plating five runs while holding Tucker scoreless to tie the game at seven. Neither team crossed the plate in the fifth, but Tucker regained the lead in the sixth, going ahead 9-8.
In the seventh and final inning, Elkins rallied to take an 11-9 lead. Kragen Cale and Mia Lambert both reached base on balls, followed by a single from Morgan Simmons. Jacey Helmick also reached base, allowing Simmons to advance to third as the Wildcats tied the score at 11. With the game on the line, Ary Neville stepped to the plate and drove a ball into right-center field, bringing home Simmons for the walk-off win on eighth-grade night.
The victory also put a fitting bow on another successful Wildcat softball season.