Lady Trojans top Islanders, face Smithfield for 1st place

Lady Trojan third baseman Madison Beasley shows the umpire the ball in her glove after taking a throw from catcher Kristin Colegrove and tagging out Poquoson’s Holli Windham on a steal attempt.

Alan Chamberlain photo

New Kent pitcher Marisa Bush struggled in the circle through the early innings with Poquoson’s invading Islanders at the plate. The visitors stranded runners in scoring position in each of the first three frames.

Bush, however, had no problems at the plate, stroking a two-run double in her first at-bat to provide all the runs she would need. Back in the circle, she completed the shutout as the Lady Trojans posted an 8-0 Bay Rivers District victory to easily keep their unbeaten record intact.

Tuesday’s outcome set up today’s (Thursday) clash with Smithfield’s host Packers for sole possession of first place in the district softball standings. Both teams enter at 7-0 for the contest that has been moved up one day from Friday due to impending bad weather.

“I think we’re ready for them,” said Lady Trojan coach Nicole O’Bier. “It would be nice to have two days of practice instead of one before the game, but we’ll be fine.”

Bush’s second inning double drove in Kristen Saunders (single) and Madison Beasley (single). The hosts then scored two runs in each of the next three frames.

Beasley singled in Brittany LaPrade (walk) and beat the throw to the plate on Emily Silver’s grounder in the third. Beasley also highlighted the New Kent fourth with a triple, driving in Kristin Colegrove (single).

Bush, meanwhile, scattered six hits while striking out two and walking four, and O’Bier had little to be upset about outside of leaving eight runners on base.

“It does bother me because I don’t like to leave anybody on base,” she said.

“But they’re a tough group of girls,” she said of her team. “They’re close on and off the field, and you can see that.

“We’ve got a great defense,” she added. “And when our bats get together we really get rolling.”