As the season winds to a close, the Mathews High School softball team is hitting its stride, posting a pair of impressive victories over Middlesex and Surry.

Last Thursday, the Lady Devils beat the Chargers on the road, 11-6. On Tuesday, the MHS girls exploded offensively against the Cougars, winning 18-1.

Offensive standouts against Middlesex included Reese Brock and Kelsey Ryan (two singles and one RBI apiece), Chelsea Armistead (single, double) and Joice Small (triple, two RBIs) and Abbie Hudgins (triple). Morgan Crittenden was the winning pitcher.

According to head coach “JJ” Ashberry, Small and Hudgins both hit balls that would have easily gone over the fence in Mathews, but the field is 220’-225’ feet in Middlesex, so both ended up with triples.

Emily West was the winning pitcher on Tuesday. Leading the offensive onslaught were Reese Brock (double, two singles), Crittenden (three singles), Aly Jackson (single, double), Hudgins and West (two singles apiece), Kelly Bri...