Lady Trojans get hot early, take down Lakeland in regional quarterfinals

New Kent’s McKenna Mueller (10) slides into home plate safely to accumulate a run for the Lady Trojans.

Robb Johnson photo

It didn’t matter what time New Kent’s Lady Trojans’ softball team took the field Tuesday evening; they were ready for action.

Despite the one-hour delay, the hosting Lady Trojans cruised to a 19-3 victory over the visiting Lakeland Cavaliers in the opening round of the Group 3A Region A quarterfinals.

Lakeland’s only highlight in the early going was having a runner reach base in the top of the first. But from there, New Kent got things rolling and in a hurry. After Norah Murray and Alline Alexander reached base, McKenna Mueller’s triple drove in her teammates for a 2-0 lead. A sacrifice by Hannah Tober brought home Mueller as New Kent’s lead grew to three.

Later in the inning, an RBI double by Jessica Taggart along with Hannah Perkins triple helped the team’s lead grow to 7-0 by the end of the frame. From there, New Kent faced no real threat in clinching the win.

The Lady Trojans are scheduled to host the visiting Colonial Heights Lady Colonials on Thursday, June 2, in the regional semifinals. New Kent won the earlier regular season matchup between the two squads 9-5.