Early lead not enough, Smithfield rallies past Lady Trojans

Lady Trojan second baseman Peyton Fleming wheels to throw to first after getting a force out on a Smithfield base runner.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Two unearned, first inning runs handed New Kent’s Lady Trojans a 2-0 lead over Smithfield’s visiting Packers. Unfortunately for the hosts, the margin failed to hold up.

Smithfield pitcher Sydney Gay held the Lady Trojans in check the rest of the way in Tuesday’s softball clash, tossing a no-hitter while striking out 12. The Packers then tied the game in the third and pushed across the winning run in the seventh to escape with a 3-2 victory.

In the New Kent first, Peyton Fleming drew a one-out walk off Gay. The next batter, Paige Simpson, put down a bunt in front of the plate to move Fleming up a base, but Packer third baseman Sam Bauer’s errant throw sailed down the right field line. Fleming sprinted home for the first run while Simpson pulled up at third before scoring moments later on a passed ball.

Smithfield, however, took advantage of a pair of walks in the third. Hannah Rogers delivered both base runners with a double to the fence in left field to deadlock the contest.

New Kent’s defense erased Packer scoring threats in the fourth and fifth innings, but once again Rogers proved to be a thorn in the hosts’ side, this time in the seventh. A walk put the eventual winning run aboard for Rogers, who lined Marisa Bush’s first pitch into left to drive in the deciding run.