Gloucester High School varsity softball players defeated visiting Denbigh 27-4 on Monday in the season opener for both teams. The Dukes were paced by Alyssa Shackleford’s five hits and three RBIs and three hits and five RBIs from Nealcyn Watkins. 

Gloucester led 2-0 until Denbigh scored four runs in the third inning. The Dukes responded with a 10-run inning, including a two-run single by Watkins, for a 12-2 lead.

Morgan Haywood pitched a complete game with 11 strikeouts and two walks. The sophomore lefthander also contributed two hits. Shelby Alto, Macy Robbins, Kaleigh Arnett and Alissa Upton had two hits each in the win. Arnett had three RBIs and Upton had two.  Gloucester beat the host Lancaster Red Devils 16-6 on March 20 with what GHS head coach Red Lindsay termed a lackluster performance. Arnett had four hits and drove in three runs to lead the Dukes’ offense. Shackleford added three hits and Alto and Haywood had two each.

Haywood pitched all five innings...