Morgan Haywood pitched a one-hit shutout and smacked a double and a triple as the Gloucester varsity softball team got by visiting Menchville, 1-0, last Thursday. The win improved the Dukes’ record to 6-1 heading into the spring break.

Gloucester could only muster a second-inning run but Haywood (5-1) made it stick with a 10-strikeout performance. She tripled to lead off the second inning and, one out later, courtesy runner Brianna Glockner scored on a long sacrifice fly from Kirsten Green for the only run of the game.

Haywood gave up only four base runners on the day with two reaching in the first inning. With two on and two out, freshman third baseman Courtney Hall began supplying the defense. She ended the first inning by ranging to her left to throw out the number five hitter at first base.

In the third inning, Hall kept the leadoff hitter off base when she snagged a hard hit ball to her glove side for the 5-3 put out. In the sixth, with one on and no outs, Hall once again stopped a would-be rally as she snared a hard hit line drive and then threw to Tori Brown for the double play. 

In the seventh, Haywood recorded two strikeouts and shortstop Alyssa Shackelford had a sterling play to preserve the win. 

After the break, the Dukes travel to Wilson on Monday and to Heritage on Tuesday, with both games beginning at 4:30 p.m.