The Mathews High School varsity softball team picked up a pair of wins last week, including a thrilling come-from-behind 7-5 victory on Friday against the visiting Essex Trojans.

Essex jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. Mathews finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth when senior Joice Small hit a two-run homer. Small also connected on two doubles in the win.

Mathews was still trailing, 5-4, in the bottom of the sixth when junior Reese Brock drove in the tying and go-ahead runs with a two-RBI double.

Emily West pitched a complete game to get the win, striking out four. Morgan Crittenden picked up two singles while Aly Jackson, Christiana Wood and Laine Wilson added one single apiece.

The day before, Mathews had no trouble with King and Queen, shutting out the Tigers in a home contest, 22-0.

rittenden struck out 12 in a five-inning performance on the mound. Ashton Hudgins (two singles) and Brock (single, double) had multiple hits. West contributed a doubl...