CHARLESTOWN, W.Va- Before more formal atire needed to be donned in the evening for Jefferson Highschool’s prom, a sectional softball game needed to be played on a muddy field against their rivals in Charlestown. Jefferson rose to the occasion, topping Washington 4-3.
“Its always a great game with them.” Interim Jefferson head coach Savannah Snyder said. “I didn’t expect anything less than a nerving game.”
Gabby Bibb manufactured the first run of the game for the Pats reaching on an error then swiping second. After a fielders choice moved her to 3rd, Anna Sedlock supplied a sacrifice fly.
Zoe Kesterson threw 3 frames of one hit ball for Washington before allowing a leadoff triple to Jersey Rummel to begin the 4th. Chloe Cowan then doubled to center, scoring Kesterson and tying the game at 1.
An intentional walk to Becca Munslow put 2 runners on for Kalee Dalton who plated both with a double to the right center field wall.
Brooke Allen then singled to put runners at the corners for Grace Dodson who continued her hot post season hitting with an RBI single.
Coming in for relief of Kesterson, Chloe Constantino struck out 3 batters and stranded a pair of runners to leave it 4-1 Jefferson in the middle of the 4th.
Bibb again produced for the Patriots driving in Kesterson with a sacrifice fly after Kesterson reached on an error. After 5 Jefferson led 4-2.
Washington again chipped away in the bottom of the 6th. Sedlock singled to start the inning then advanced to 2nd, 3rd, then the plate all on passed balls to bring the Patriots within a run through 6.
Washington hoped to prolong the game when Constantino doubled with two outs, but after a mound visit Jefferson elected to keep starter Becca Munslow in the circle who induced a fly ball to end the game. Munslow went the distance only allowing 4 hits and 1 earned run.
“I just told them all to take a deep breath.” Snyder said about the mound visit. “I said I had confidence in them to get the last out.”
After Saturday evening’s prom, Jefferson will once again focus on the Patriots who they will play in a winner-take-all sectional championship game next week.
“I just want them to go tonight and have a good time not thinking about softball.” Snyder said. “Then we’ll play on Monday. I think they’re ready.”
