Lady Trojans advance in Region I

A jubilant Paige Simpson is greeted at home plate by teammate Karley Allen after scoring the winning run against Culpeper.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Ask New Kent Lady Trojan coach Nicole O’Bier about the game plan for advancing in the Group AA Region I softball tournament and she’ll answer, “Keep winning.”

Although pushed to extra innings, that’s what the Lady Trojans accomplished in the May 27 opening round — a 1-0 triumph over Culpeper’s Blue Devils, runners-up in the Battlefield District.

Brittany LaPrade’s walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning clinched the win. The drive, lofted over the head of Culpeper left fielder Hanna Davidson, scored Paige Simpson. Just moments before and with one away, Simpson had doubled into the gap in left-center.

As LaPrade’s blast cleared Davidson’s glove, Simpson trotted home to the cheers of jubilant teammates and New Kent fans. The win moved the hosts, now 17-5, into a May 29 semifinal at Battlefield kingpin King George.

Afterward, O’Bier said LaPrade had the green light, and sacrificing Simpson to third never entered the picture.

“I never gave her the bunt sign,” she said.

Into the middle of the ninth, Lady Trojan pitcher Marisa Bush and Culpeper hurler Miranda Crupp locked horns in a pitching duel. Bush scattered four Blue Devil hits while striking out 14. Crupp, meanwhile, had a four-hitter and six strike outs heading into the bottom of the ninth.

The Lady Trojans are moving forward without the services of regular second baseman Peyton Fleming, who sustained a season-ending broken finger in the Bay Rivers District tournament game against Warhill. Simpson stepped in at second.

“We miss Peyton because she’s a smart batter,” O’Bier said, “but Paige has proven herself.”