Lady Trojans fall to York in softball season opener

New Kent second baseman Jada Evans fires to first after forcing out York's Britney Hepner on a play at second in the fourth inning.

Alan Chamberlain photo

New Kent Lady Trojan batters had problems making contact with offerings from York pitcher Chelsea Evans. The Falcon hurler struck out 15 and scattered five hits in denying the host Lady Trojans a victory in Tuesday’s softball season opener. York prevailed 9-1.

“We had a lot of strikeouts,” said Lady Trojan coach Nicole O’Bier, noting that seven batters were caught looking at third strikes.

“We’ve got to get those bats swinging and get that confidence up,” she said. And as for her team’s ability to do just that, she added, “They definitely have it.”

The hosts gave up a solo run in the top of the first inning, but evened the affair in the bottom of the frame. Shortstop Paige Simpson, who had three of New Kent’s five hits, led off with the first of her three singles. She worked her way to third before scoring on a wild pitch.

York moved ahead with a run in the third and added another in the fourth. New Kent’s defense, however, prevented the Falcons from inflicting more damage in the fourth. A diving catch by Annie Gray on the run in shallow left field recorded the frame’s first out. Then with the bases loaded, centerfielder Abby Spangler snared a drive near the fence to end the inning.

But the Falcons pulled away in the late going. A two-run sixth was followed by a four-run seventh.

“I felt like our defense was pretty solid from the beginning,” O’Bier said. “We battled pretty well up until the fifth inning. Our pitcher [Abby Young] is a freshman and our catcher [Haley Cleaver] is a freshman and they battled hard today.”

Cleaver, meanwhile, doubled for New Kent’s only extra-base hit. First baseman Emiley Angle singled to collect the hosts’ fifth hit.

Young gave up eight hits while striking out two and walking three.