Gloucester, Warwick fall in regional softball

[dsquires]

Gloucester, Warwick fall in regional softball

By DAVE JOHNSON | djohnson@dailypress.com (djohnson@dailypress.com)


Virginia Beach -- Gloucester's Stephanie Coates and Warwick's Travonna Byrd were at (or at least near) their best Tuesday in the Eastern Region semifinals. But their counterparts were even better as the Beach District extended its mastery of the Peninsula.

Kendra Knight threw a no-hitter and struck out 19 -- including 11 in a row at one point -- and Salem took advantage of a "strange run" in a 1-0 victory over the Dukes. Stephanie Kemp limited Warwick to four hits and Kellam took advantage of some early Raider nerves for a 2-0 win.

The Knights (21-4) and Sun Devils (21-1-1) advanced to Thursday night's championship and clinched a spot in the Group AAA tournament. The Beach has won nine consecutive regional games over the Peninsula since 2001.

In a classic pitchers' duel -- Coates threw a one-hitter in defeat -- the game's lone run came down to a bit of trickery on Salem's part in the second inning. With Ashley Huffman at third and Chelsey Stewart at second with one out, Amanda Ortega bunted down the third-base line. Both runners held, and Ashley Moore's throw to first was late.

Then came the strange part. Stewart drifted toward third base and came within a couple feet of the bag -- while Huffman was a couple feet past it. After receiving the ball from first baseman Taylor Saulman, Coates hesitated a second before throwing Stewart out trying to get back to second. Huffman then broke for home and scored.

"I was trying to get her to push her back, but I can't blame her," Gloucester coach Red Lindsay said of Coates. "It's just one of those things. Sure was a strange run."

Just the way Salem coach Jason Barefoot drew it up.

"You never in a million years figure it's going to work," he said. "We were just hoping to draw a throw."

Knight allowed two baserunners, both on walks. Brenna Thomas stole her way to second and third base in the sixth inning, but Leta Bressin struck out to end the inning.

Knight ended up getting her final 15 outs on strikeouts.

"That's as good as it gets," Barefoot said. "And against great competition, too."

KELLAM 2, WARWICK 0
In the first game, Kellam's Kelli Porter led off with a walk and took second on Stephanie Kemp's bunt single. Knights coach Theresa Jones then called for the double steal, and Warwick catcher Erica Ward's throw sailed into left field. Both runners scored to give Kellam a quick 2-0 lead.

"That first inning got us," Warwick coach Jimmy Dawson said. "Maybe it was nerves."

Byrd pitched a five-hit shutout the rest of the way and made an outstanding defensive play -- an unassisted out at the plate on a suicide squeeze -- to save another run. But that shaky start was too much to overcome.

"I've always been told the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins," Byrd said. "Well, they made the fewest mistakes and they won. I thought we could beat them -- I still think we could beat them. I don't think they're better than us, but they played a better game."

KELLAM 2, WARWICK 0
Kellam 200 000 0 -- 2 6 0
Warwick 000 000 0 -- 0 4 3
WP--Kemp (21-4). LP--Byrd (10-3). Standouts: Kellam--Kemp 2-3 (run). Warwick--A. Ward 2-3. Records: Kellam 21-4; Warwick 17-6.

SALEM 1, GLOUCESTER 0
Gloucester 000 000 0 -- 0 0 0
Salem 100 000 x -- 1 1 0
WP--Knight (21-2-1). LP--Coates (21-3). Standouts: Salem--Knight (no-hitter, 19 strikeouts). Records: Salem 21-2-1; Gloucester 21-3.

[softball93]

Good job to both teams. They represented the PD well. Kendra Knight is the real deal. Is Sarah Atkins hurt, she hasn't pitched since the PD tourney? Warwick that is a tough way to lose one. Had it not been for one trick play, Gloucester and Salem could have played all night.

[Peninsula fan]

Great Job. Neither Team Was Out Talented, Just Didn't Get The Breaks When Needed As So Often Happens Between Teams Of Equal Physical Talent.

[justafan]

Excellent play to both PD teams. The Dukes and Raiders have everything to be proud of! By your performances in Regionals you are definately the top teams in the Penninsula District. Both teams were one play away from a berth to state. You'll be back next year ladies!!!!! Take what you have learned and let it fuel you and drive you to state next year.

CONGRATULATIONS ON ONE HECK OF A SEASON!!!!!!

[brightlights]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! to both Warwick and Gloucester's Softball team. They really represented the PD well. Everyone expected both teams to get blown away by Beach teams, but they earned their respect.....Great job ladies. Only one game away from STATE ;) Next time Ladies!

PD Pitchers were always doubted.....people wanting to believe that they lacked competition and that's why our pitchers were so successful. Well we showed them that we can take our show on the road. When you can compete with the Beach; you can compete with the BEST... Great performance by Byrd & Coates. You ladies deserve KUDOS! Great pitching is nothing without great cathers (Ward & Kiser)....awesome job!

We know that they didn't do it all by themselves so shout outs to Atkins with the Big "D" and the Big Bat. And Bressin; good job as usual. Way to be leaders ladies.

They rest of the players made great contributions when needed....Trumble(W), Ward(W), Dawson (W), Moore(G), Thomas (G), etc. Way to do it ladies

Nobody should feel left out cause all you ladies were great; if not at regionals, you could have been the person that helped get you there. So KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. :)

[softball93]

Great acolades brightlights. It is great to read positives in these forums. I believe these teams did a superb job offensively and defensively.

[Hawkeye06]

GOOD JOB to both teams!


Not sure if the beach already does this but i would be awesome to see PD schedule more out of district games, and or maybe even a PD tournament at the beginning of the year, similar to how basketball has all kinds of different tournaments. during the holiday season. Maybe have a school host a invitational double elimination tournament. Send invites to teams all over. I can see it all now..... the host school would make alittle bit of fund raising money, and the tournament could be held on a Saturday. Starting early and ending late. It would only make the PD teams better and build more excitement about softball in the area.

I'm getting off my soap box now.

[softball93]

I know that Warwick played at least 1 team from the south side Great Bridge. Gloucester played Lafayete (sorry for the misspelling) home and home. High school teams are only allowed 20 regular season games per VHSL rules. They are also allowed 2, 7 inning scrimmages. Some teams play 4, 5 inning scrimmages which I think is a streatch but no one ever gets called on this. I do agree the PD should have more out of conference games.

[drich]

Teams are allowed 2 scrimmages of 10 innings. Some teams will split these into 5 inning scrimmages with 3 teams playing.

[softball93]

Years ago Bayside had a mass scrimmage with several teams invited called the Bayside Jamboree. This used to be a well attended event. Perhaps a Newport News school could get something together at Stoney Run. There are 4 fields there and they can be set up for a tournement type event. They do it all summer. We could even see a BRD/PD challenge or some Beach and Southeastern District schools.

[drich]

All that is needed is for a school to take the lead and set it up.

[humblepie]

That was a fine performance by a talented group of ladies which most of whom will be back next year, Both teams I believe will have a lot of seniors next year.
It looks like the teams may have lost their games on coaching decisions. Neither coach has to rely on big decisions throughtout the regular season so when they get across the water they have to step it up a notch. The girls can compete.
Warwick and Gloucester were probably expected to win their 1st game in the regionals. But it wasn`t as easy as they thought.But in the semi-finals Warwick:confused: vs Kellam I would of took my chances with Atkins swinging away with A. Ward on 1st base and 1 out instead of sacrificing her. Va. King the number 4 hitter struck out after Atkins succesfully layed the bunt down.. Atkins was 4 for 5
before that at bat and hitting the ball :smokin: hard.We`ll never know. But it was a team effort and the team should be proud of their accomplishment. Gloucester definite
had the team to beat Salem. One great pitcher and some great hitters in Saulman and freshmen players Bressin and Robb but I`m surprised Coach Lindsay
was fooled on the trick play.:o Gloucester will have a chance for revenge next year. But who knows about Warwick. Depends on who stays and who goes.
I think they are only loosing 3 to seniors. One of them their catcher E. Ward and their 3rd baseman Trumble who has come up big for them this year. Girls work hard in the off season and find a catcher. Start looking now.Prepare for next season.
You think their not?

[brightlights]

Agreed.....Atkins should've definitely been swinging away. She was a BIG part of Warwick's offense in the Regional Tournament. But your right, we'll never know.

I think that Warwick definitely has a chance to go far next year. They certainly need a catcher, but they have two pitchers that can catch. Does anybody remember Atkins and Byrd's one year on JV (8th grade); instead of alternating at pitching/ 2nd base they alternated at pitching/catching.

Gloucester will loose about three of their starters too, but both Gloucester and Warwick had good JV programs so I think they'll still be the top two teams again next year. Bethel loose about 6 seniors. Woodside looses some key players. Menchville looses some key players too. Kecougtan will be a force next year; they are a young team. :D

[Dukes fan!!!!]

Gloucester looses 2 starters. 1st base and centerfield, big loses. But they have good talent left.

[humblepie]

I do remember when Byrd and Atkins were 8th graders and they pitched and caught each other. One thing about these two young ladies they are athletes.
They can play anywhere on the field. And I`m sure if that is what is best for the team one of them will be behind there next year.I`m not sure what Warwick has coming up from J.V. but I think they should have someone to replace(not replace but you know) Byrd or Atkins at 2nd base.Maybe it will also depend on where Byrd and Atkins sign on for college and if their college coaches will want them to go back there since it is a physical position.I know that UVA is also interested in these two girls but what will happen with that now.I`m sure there are other interest.What happen to Chelsea Dawson doesn`t she catch anymore? I know she did back in littlt league maybe she could catch next year.
Gloucester will always be tough as long as they have a coach like RED he knows what he is doing. Not sure about there J.V. program but I think the girls play travel ball with the Batbusters so that will help groom some future players.
Cant say enough about what Mike Tallon brings to the softball field. He has 2 great freshmen in Hoeffer and Adino. But it will take some work on defense next year to go along with their power hitters. Kecoughtan was so close to going to regionals. They have Kate Alexander and she mows the batters down and all of their players will return. Or should I say can return.Menchville will have to rebuild with plenty of fresh talent to go with their returning key players. Pitching may be a problem. Bethel lost alot and I`m not going to comment on that.