New Kent relies on walk-off to capture Senior Day victory

New Kent's Brylea Ricks (right) prepares to slide into home plate in what amounted to the winning run.

Robb Johnson photo

Monday afternoon’s Senior Day contest for the Lady Trojans pitted them against a York Lady Falcons team that hasn’t seen many victories this year. But the visitors pushed New Kent back into a corner for the first six-and-a-half-innings. That was until the bottom of the seventh inning.

A two-run hit by Amya Evans in the bottom of the seventh provided a walk-off victory for the Lady Trojans, escaping the feisty Lady Falcons 4-3 in Monday’s game.

For the first six innings, the Lady Trojans offense failed to register any runs. Timely throws led to miscues, putting the hosts in a 3-0 hole. Meanwhile, Lady Falcons pitcher Haley Auche only allowed a few hits.

New Kent finally figured out Auche’s pitching pattern, pushing two across the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the deficit to one (3-2). Lady Trojan Gracie Ellis’ control on the mound provided the hosts a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh as the team returned to bat.

New Kent’s Alex Peace bloop base hit started the rally for the hosts. Teammate Brylea Ricks connected with the ball and became a baserunner as well. After a Taylor Yates strikeout, Taylor Goode’s single to center loaded the bases for the hosts with one out.

Standing confidently, Evans approached the plate to face Auche. Evans drove the ball into the outfield, allowing Peace to stroll across the plate. Ricks rounded third and slide into home, sealing the walk-off win for the hosts.

After the contest, Lady Trojan Maria Bates talked about the team’s win.

“York played well this game as well as the last one,” she said. “We came out a little slot to start off both contests.

“We were able to start playing better those last two innings,” Bates continued. “The heat was a factor and it messed with both teams. Being the dog days of summer, every great team will know how to overcome every obstacle put in front of them.”

New Kent improves to 16-2 for the season.