NRHS girls extend perfect record
Published 11:15 pm Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The Nansemond River softball team has already developed a reputation that it needs to uphold. The girls traveled to Lakeland High School on Wednesday and remained undefeated, with their second game in a row brought to an early conclusion by the mercy rule.
The Lady Warriors triumphed 17-0 after five innings.
Nansemond River senior Eryn Haley throws against host Lakeland High School on Wednesday. Haley pitched two innings and teamed up with freshman Lauren Maddrey to produce a one-hitter. The Lady Warriors won 17-0 in a game called after the fifth inning due to the mercy rule.
“Well, of course, we’re cross-town rivals, so we knew we had to hit the ground running and that we’re noticed now, so we had to win this one,” Nansemond River senior Hope Mounie said.
Mounie went 4-for-4 at the plate and helped get things started offensively for her team in the first inning.
Lady Warriors freshman Lauren Maddrey added another thrilling chapter to a great start this year, going 3-for-3 at bat, including a three-run, inside-the-park home run. She also pitched for three innings; senior Eryn Haley pitched the other two, and they produced a combined one-hitter.
Haley praised the play of Maddrey. “She’s coming in, and she’s throwing hard, she’s throwing good. I’m happy for Lauren. I think she’s doing a great job.”
With three games in as many days this week, Haley said, “We’re going to have to work harder this week to stay successful and to not start to die down a little bit. I just think this kind of sets the energy and the tone for the next two games.”
“I was a little apprehensive,” Nansemond River head coach Gabe Rogers said of Wednesday’s game. “I knew we would have the opportunity to put the ball in play today, but I didn’t want to go those innings where we’re not scoring.”
The Lady Warriors did a better job of spreading out the scoring this time, as junior Jessie Rogers had four runs batted in. Fellow junior Maddy-Grace Lavender came in and had another big game, going 2-for-2.
Lakeland head coach Cara Byrd said this was a game she would like to forget.
“I think we channeled our emotions, being young, in the wrong direction,” she said. “Instead of it being more of an adrenaline (rush), it was more nerves. I think that just ended up getting the best of us.”
Nansemond River (3-0, 3-0) visits Hickory High School tomorrow while Lakeland (1-2, 1-2) hosts Great Bridge High School.
