New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 28, 2024

New Kent dominates opening round in softball win over Hopewell

By Robb Johnson | June 14, 2021 1:18 am

New Kent’s Morgan Mills (15) slides into third base but is beat out by a snag by a Hopewell player.

Robb Johnson photo

In a rare Sunday afternoon game, New Kent’s Lady Trojans had little resistance from the visiting Hopewell Lady Blue Devils in the opening round of the Group 3A Region A tournament.

Behind the pitching of recent graduate Gracie Ellis, the top-seeded Lady Trojans cruised to a 21-1 victory in a contest that was never competitive.

After Ellis fanned the first three Hopewell batters in the top of the first inning, New Kent went to work early and often. After Haley Baker reached base on balls, teammate Norah Murray’s triple brought home Baker. A double by Jess Taggart allowed Murray to cross home plate. Moments later, Taggart strolled in for a score after McKenna Mueller’s hit. In total, nine runs crossed home plate in the bottom of the first.

It didn’t get any easier for Hopewell, as Murray accomplished a rare inside-the-park homerun. New Kent would score seven runs in the second and five in the third to easily capture the win.

After the contest, New Kent Lady Trojan Head Coach Maria Bates talked about her team’s focus in the playoff contest.

“We have so much depth in the lineup from slots one to nine and that makes a difference for sure,” she said. “It is a good problem to have for so many girls who can play and are smart as well.

“The team chemistry is phenomenal, and they are happy to be out there,” she continued. “From losing a season last year [due to COVID-19], they are happy just to be together and play the game that they love. It is definitely a family out there.”