MHS girls fall in regional semis to Lancaster, 6-5

The Mathews High School varsity softball season came to an abrupt end on Tuesday at the Dream Fields in Lancaster, as the region’s top-seeded Lancaster Red Devils narrowly defeated the MHS Lady Blue Devils, 6-5, in the Class 1 Region A semifinals, with the winner earning a berth to the state championships.

To advance to Tuesday’s regional semifinals, Mathews crushed the Charles City Panthers on Friday in Charles City, 12-2.

“It was just a tough, tough loss,” coach J.J. Ashberry said following Tuesday’s defeat to Lancaster. “Unfortunately, a couple of defensive mistakes were costly, giving up four unearned runs, but we made some huge plays as well. I feel terrible for the seniors, but today gives the returning members a lot to look forward to and grow on as our future looks bright. We’ve proven we’re as good as anyone in our region, but we have a lot of work to do as well, he said.”

Charles City

On Friday, Mathews was dominant from the opening pitch as the #5 seed Lady Blue Devils faced the #4 seed Panthers.

Freshman Hailey Love, who received first-team All-Tidewater District honors, struck out 12 in a complete-game victory, also hitting a single and picking up two RBIs. Bentlea Lawrence (second team All-District) had two singles, a triple and three RBIs. Marley Brock (second team All-District) hit two singles and a double, scoring four RBIs. Addison Griffith hit a double that brought home two runs, and McKenzie Bartlett (second team All-District) added a single. Griffith, the Lady Devils’ catcher, also picked off two runners stealing second base for the first time in her career. “We were so proud of her,” Ashberry said.

Lancaster

Love was once again on the mound for Mathews on Tuesday, picking up nine strikeouts. She finished the season with 168 strikeouts; an all-time freshman record at Mathews. She helped her own effort offensively with a single and an RBI.

Lawrence started things off for Mathews with a two-run homer in the first inning, and Mathews took an early 3-0 lead, but Lancaster chipped away and eventually gained a narrow edge. Other offensive standouts for Mathews included Kylee Swanson (single, double), Bartlett (two singles, one RBI) and Carter Hayes (two singles).