Mathews punched its ticket to the VHSL Group A, Division 2 state semifinals in Radford by defeating Appomattox, 3-0, in a quarterfinal game on Tuesday.

The MHS softball team earned the right to host the state quarterfinal by successfully defending its Region A title last Friday night, beating Nandua by a final score of 3-0. Last Wednesday, the Lady Devils defeated Essex, 7-1, in the regional semifinal game.

In Tuesday’s state tournament game, Lindsay Crigler started on the mound against the visiting Appomattox Raiders. She pitched a strong game, giving up only two hits and a walk. However, in the top of the fifth, Crigler ran into a little bit of trouble, with runners on second and third with only one out.

However, Lindsay Collins took over from there to shut down the Raider offense to pick up the win, allowing no hits and no walks in 2 1/3 innings of relief.

Collins helped her own cause in the bottom of the fifth inning with a lead-off double. Sydney Morgan followed wi...