Bates earns 150th win as New Kent routs York 12-2

New Kent’s Ava Brandon trots across home plate for a run in the first inning for the Lady Trojans.

Robb Johnson photo

An explosive first inning provided New Kent enough firepower for a win.

The Lady Trojans scored 11 runs in the bottom of the first frame as they delivered a 12-2 beatdown over the visiting York Lady Falcons in the Apr. 1 Bay Rivers District match-up.

New Kent took advantage of York’s Tahlia Evans performance on the mound early. Ava Brandon’s single brought home Kenley Rowe to provide the hosts a 1-0 lead. A base knock by Sierra Carter upped the score to 2-0. Later on in the inning and with the bases loaded, Sydney Eubank walked and Rayne Otey was hit by a pitch to double the hosts advantage (4-0).

Mariah Leonard, who had already had an at-bat in the inning, returned to the plate, this time launching a bases clearing double that drove home three more runs. New Kent tacked on four more to close out the inning with an 11-0 lead.

New Kent played evenly with York for a majority of the game, with the game ending by mercy rule with Kendal White’s deep hit driving home Leonard for the final score of the game.

After the game, New Kent Lady Trojans Head Coach Maria Bates, who notched career win number 150, spoke about her team’s ramped up desire after an earlier defeat to another Bay Rivers District opponent earlier in the season.

“Since Poquoson, this team has responded and players are picking up on things and responding better every day,” the victorious head coach said. “The are getting one percent better every day.

“That is what we preach and they are doing that,” Bates continued. “We are looking forward to the second half of the season.”

New Kent improves to 5-1 on the season.