In battle of state champions, Hanover overpowers New Kent 3-0

Lady Trojan Leah Rounds takes a big swing as she looks to put the ball in play.

Robb Johnson photo

Sometimes in sports, a match-up can speak for itself. Such was the case when defending Group 3A champion New Kent Lady Trojans visited the defending Group 4A state champion in the Hanover Lady Hawks. In the end, it was a triumph for the hosting Lady Hawks.

Hanover orchestrated a shutout of New Kent, emerging in the 3-0 non-district victory Monday evening.

The hosts started early, with Kaileigh Byars going yard for a home run for Hanover. The Lady Hawks added two more runs in the fourth inning, keeping New Kent in check for the most part.

But the Lady Trojans finally began their threat to score in the top of the seventh, as Hannah Perkins reached third base on a steal, while teammate Kennedy Ziglar was on second.

However, the pitching from University of Virginia commit Julia Cuozzo and Hanover hurler was too much for New Kent. Cuozzo struck out Rounds, one of 14 of the night as the Lady Trojans fell.

After the contest, New Kent Lady Trojans Head Coach Maria Bates talked about the importance of playing premiere competition.

“It was a battle and their pitcher had great movement,” she said, complimenting Cuozzo. “We had trouble getting on base, but we held our own.

“We want to schedule the best, and to be the best you have to play the best,” Bates added. “This helps us prepare for the postseason and some of the pitching that we will see.”

New Kent’s record falls to 6-3.