The Mathews High School varsity softball team made school history on Friday when it beat Galax, 8-0, in the state semifinals at Radford.

The victory advanced the team to the state championship game the following day. While Mathews has reached the state level several times, the varsity softball team has never made it to the championship game.

Unfortunately, the Lady Devils didn’t make another school milestone when they lost, 8-0, the following day to the reigning state champions from Parry McCluer.

MHS entered the four-team tournament as the Region 1A East champion slated to play Galax, the Region 1A West runner-up, in the semifinals. Mathews struck first on Friday with two runs in the first inning and maintained control throughout the game.

Madison South pitched the entire seven inning game, allowing only three hits and no walks while striking out eight batters. Galax only had one base-runner reach second base. Offensively, the Lady Devils tallied 10 hits with South leading t...