The Gloucester High School varsity softball team had a successful week, defeating all three of its opponents.
The Lady Dukes defeated the Manor Mustangs, 3-2, last Wednesday, April 19, at home. Gloucester took a 1-0 lead over the visitors from Portsmouth in the bottom half of the first inning as freshman Hannah Horsley hit a two-out triple to left center field and later scored on an infield error.
In the third inning, Sadie Bowden led off the inning with a bunt single and advanced to third base on a Sam Carlton sacrifice bunt. Bowden later scored on a Horsley sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead.
The Mustangs loaded the bases with one out in the top of the third inning, but a forced play at the plate by catcher Kayla Pasipanki and a soft line drive to second baseman Shyanne Carlton ended the inning. Manor High tied the score in the sixth inning, but a timely double play by Sam Carlton and a fly ball out to Horsley kept the score at 2-2.
Horsley led off the sixth inning with a hard-hit single to left field and advanced to second on a throwing error. Kaia Hutton moved Horsley to third with a sacrifice bunt. Horsley later scored on a Cameron Palas RBI sacrifice bunt for a 3-2 lead.
Bowden scattered nine hits, struck out two and did not walk a single batter. Offensively, Horsley scored two of Gloucester’s three runs and drove in a run.
Heritage
The Lady Dukes overwhelmed the Heritage Hurricanes last Thursday, defeating their opponent, 27-0. Chicky Boles pitched a one-hitter with seven strikeouts to pick up the victory.
Bowden had four hits including two doubles and a triple, along with three RBIs. Sam Carlton also had four hits, including a double and two RBIs. Palas and Makayla Hernandez each had two hits and five RBIs. Horsley, Hutton and Pasipanki also added two hits apiece.
Denbigh
The Lady Dukes defeated the Denbigh Patriots Tuesday, 33-2. Bowden pitched a complete game, giving up two runs on four hits.
Palas had three doubles and four RBIs and Horsley had three hits with three RBIs. Coral Santos had three singles and two RBIs and Shyanne Carlton and Alexis Dishman contributed two hits apiece.
Gloucester will travel to Menchville on Tuesday and then will host the team next Thursday.