New Kent shuts out Skyline to secure spot in state championship game

New Kent’s Kennedy Ziglar (left) slides into home plate as Skyline pitcher Peyton Kaufman (right) cannot cover home plate fast enough for the tag after a passed ball.

Robb Johnson photo

Two years ago, Skyline High School’s Lady Hawks ended New Kent’s Lady Trojans softball season in the quarterfinals of the Group 3A State Tournament. In a June 23 rematch of the two teams, the hosting Lady Trojans coming out as winners in impressive fashion.

New Kent dominated Skyline 7-0 to advance to the state finals game on June 26. The Lady Trojans will have a unique situation as they will play host the championship game against the visiting Rustburg Lady Red Devils.

New Kent Head Coach Maria Bates had been preaching that fast starts would be the difference in winning and losing games. The semifinal encounter was a perfect example as in the bottom of the first inning, a pop fly by Jess Taggart dropped between Skyline defenders Astoria Free and Ashton Spiker, resulting in Haley Baker crossing home plate. A few batters later, Taggart touched the pentagon as McKenna Mueller drove her home.

Meanwhile, Gracie Ellis continued to dominate the mound against a team that handed her a rare loss two years ago. Now in her graduate/senior season, Ellis didn’t surrender a hit until the top of the fourth inning. Even after that occurred, she struck out the next two batters and forced a groundout for the third one.

In the bottom of the fourth, New Kent opened up some distance on the scoreboard. After the hosts loaded the bases, a passed ball allowed Kennedy Ziglar to slide into home plate. When Skyline attempted to throw out a runner at third base, an errant connection allowed Haley Baker to trot in for a score and a 4-0 advantage for the Lady Trojans. Morgan Mills’ triple added to the scoring as New Kent tacked on three more runs as the team would close out the game with a 7-0 victory.

After the contest, Bates admitted that she wanted her team to have a rematch with the Region B champion.

“We wanted to see them again because it was in the back of our minds from two years ago when they knocked us out,” the victorious head coach said. “Our players have matured and took on these high intense games and kept their cool. We played solid defense and we executed.”

New Kent improves to 15-1 on the season.