A season that had all the earmarks of a rebuilding year, with the loss of four starters, turned into a pretty outstanding one as the Mathews High School varsity softball team ended up finishing in the top eight in Virginia among Group A schools.

The Lady Devils posted a record of 16-4-1, with only one district loss (Middlesex). The girls also fell to Rappahannock, AAA Gloucester and the eventual state champion, Gretna Lady Hawks.

Mathews lost to Gretna in a 10-inning battle on June 8 in the state quarterfinals. The Lady Devils held the lead several times—including a 3-2 edge going into the top of the seventh—but just couldn’t pull it out to earn a trip to Radford.

Although disappointed about “losing to a team you know are as good as or better,” head coach Robert Thomas said he was pleased with all that his squad had accomplished this season and has high hopes for next season. Mathews lost only one senior to graduation, Kristy Latimer.

For her play at shortstop and her offensive dominance this season, Sharese Jarvis was awarded the Region A player of the year trophy. Lindsay Crigler, Kayla Robins and Jarvis were also named to the All-Region first team, while Lindsay Collins garnered second-team honors.

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