The Gloucester High School varsity softball team earned two wins and suffered one loss on the road over the past week.
The Lady Dukes earned a 13-0 shutout win over the Bruton Panthers last Wednesday, May 6. Autumn Cookson pitched five complete innings, recording 13 strikeouts. Also recording outs were Hannah Horsley who caught a fly ball in centerfield and Tessa Carteret who scooped up a grounder to throw to first baseman Maddie Thorson.
Gloucester took a quick 6-0 lead in the first inning, which was spearheaded by Horsley’s three-run home run over the left field fence. Lilly Hogan and Harper Hardaway both recorded RBIs in the first inning.
The Lady Dukes tacked on six more runs in the second inning with Cookson and Carteret both contributing two RBIs each. Carteret and Winnie Carlton led Gloucester in hits with two apiece.
York
Gloucester also defeated York, 6-4, Monday afternoon. The Lady Dukes took a 2-0 in the second inning as Autumn Cookson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Addison Keister. Carlton, who had singled earlier, scored on an infield error.
In the third inning, Gloucester stretched the lead to 3-0 as Horsley reached first base after also receiving a hit by the pitcher. She stole second base and scored on a sacrifice fly by Alexis Dishman. From there, the Falcons chipped away at Gloucester’s head start until they took a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning.
The Lady Dukes tied the score in the seventh inning on an infield error that scored Cameron Palas. Kyndall Sales hit a pitch to left centerfield to score both Keister and Dishman for a 6-4 lead.
Hardaway gave up a walk and a single in the seventh inning, but ended the game on two ground outs. Palas led Gloucester offensively with two hits for two at-bats and a double.
Poquoson
The only loss Gloucester suffered over the past week was to Poquoson Tuesday afternoon. The Lady Dukes fell to the Islanders, 13-3. Gloucester led early but could not stop the fifth inning momentum gained by Poquoson.
Palas walked and then scored on a double hit by Horsley in the first inning. Poquoson tied the score in its half of the inning. The Lady Dukes once again forged ahead as Carlton singled and came around to score on a single by Hardaway, taking a 2-1 lead.
Poquoson put the game away with eight runs in the fifth inning. Horsley led Gloucester offensively with two doubles and an RBI.
Gloucester will host Tabb on Friday, Smithfield on Monday and will travel to Warhill next Wednesday to end the regular season. All games will have a 4:30 p.m. start time. Senior Night will be held prior to Monday’s Smithfield game.
Dukes’ baseball
The Gloucester High School varsity baseball team lost two and picked up one over the past week. The Dukes fell to Bruton, 3-1, last Wednesday, May 6, on the road; defeated Poquoson, 5-3, at home on Friday; and lost to York, 9-2, in an away game Monday.
The Dukes will host Tabb on Friday, Smithfield on Monday and will travel to Warhill next Wednesday, May 20, to complete the regular season. All games have a start time of 4:30 p.m.
Senior Night will be held on Monday.