By Shawn Stinson
The Pendleton County softball team moved above the .500 mark on the season following a 4-1 week.
Pendleton knocked off East Hardy, swept a doubleheader against Pocahontas and split a doubleheader with Frankfort to improve to 6-4 on the season.
“We hit the ball well,” Pendleton coach Charlie Padgett said. “The offense has been getting some big hits from time to time.”
The Lady Wildcats avenged an earlier loss to the Lady Cougars by posting a 14-2 victory April 12 in Franklin. Pendleton scored seven runs in the bottom of the first to seize control of the contest. The Lady Wildcats added two runs in the second, four in the third and a single run in the fourth. The Lady Cougars scored both of their runs in the top of the fourth.
Ally Vance secured the victory in the pitching circle, striking out three. She walked one and hit a batter in the win.
“She pitched well,” Padgett said.
He also praised the performance of catcher Nataley Hedrick. Padgett said his backstop has not allowed a passed ball in five games.
Avery Townsend paced the Pendleton offense with three hits – a single, a double and a triple. Baylee Beachler also notched three hits. Ashton Hess had two hits for the Lady Wildcats. Lizzie Alt and Jenna Smith both recorded a triple. Smith added a double.
Pendleton breezed to a doubleheader sweep of Pocahontas on April 14 in Dunmore. The Lady Wildcats cruised to a 19-2 victory in the opening game and posted a 20-1 win in the nightcap. Both games lasted four innings due to the mercy run rule.
Beachler and Vance picked up the pitching victories. Isabella Lockard and Alt pitched in relief.
Alt had two hits in the opening contest to pace the Pendleton offense. Nataley Hedrick recorded a triple. Katelyn Hedrick, Americus Hoover, Julia Mongold, Jenna Wagoner and Beachler all had a double. Townsend was 3 for 3 in the nightcap. Alt had a home run and a triple in the contest. Keira Gardner and Vance both notched a double.
Both Nataley Hedrick and Townsend reached in all four of their plate appearances in the opening game to lead Pendleton to a 10-2 win in five innings against Frankfort on April 16 in Franklin. Vance went 2 for 2 in the contest
Beachler struck out five in the complete game victory.
Frankfort secured a split in the doubleheader with a 15-1 victory behind the arm and bat of Avery Noel. The Falcons scored two runs in the top of the first, single runs in the second and third, four in the fourth and seven in the fifth. The Lady Wildcats’ lone run came in the bottom of the fourth.
Noel struck out 13 and allowed three hits and an unearned run in the pitching circle. She added four hits, including a triple and a double.
Beachler had a triple and Townsend notched a single in the loss.
Pendleton was scheduled to play host to Moorefield on April 19 and Tucker County the following day for a doubleheader in Franklin. Pendleton will participate in the annual Bub Riggleman tournament on Friday and Saturday in Moorefield.
