By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
Moorefield 10-12 Softball All-Stars were battle tested climbing out of the elimination bracket to reach the West Virginia Little League State Tournament semifinals.
Moorefield built a 3-1 lead before Barboursville tipped the scales 8-4 to advance to the state championship where Sissonville emerged as the state champion 7-4.
Ripley sent Moorefield into the elimination round with a 7-0 shutout in the Herd bracket finals, then Moorefield bounced back edging Ona-Milton 3-1 in the Herd runner-up contest and earned a spot in the state tournament semifinals against Barboursville.
Moorefield pitcher Rebecca Liller recorded three strikeouts and allowed 13 hits with zero walks in the state semifinal loss to Barboursville.
Barboursvlle pitcher Ella notched five strikeouts with six hits and four walks in the state semifinal win.
Moorefield’s Harper Hunt singled with two outs in the top of the first inning, but was stranded on a groundout.
Barboursville’s Rylie smashed an inside-the-park home run with the help of an error in left field for the initial 1-0 edge.
Another error and a single sandwiched two groundouts before a fielder’s choice closed the frame.
Moorefield started the second inning with Nellee Sevilla being thrown out at first base on a dropped third strike.
Moorefield’s Kate Cumberland drew a walk, then Bella Linville smacked a single up the middle.
Darah See was given a walk as Moorefield loaded the bases.
Moorefield’s Avelyn Bean connected for a game-tying RBI single on a blooper into center field as Cumberland scored.
After a strikeout to Anna-Leia Champ, Ally Landes received a free pass sending Linville home for a 2-1 lead.
Moorefield took a 3-1 advantage as Aubrey Hose was issued a walk with See coming home.
Barboursville got out of the jam on a groundout from Kylan Markwood.
Barboursville placed two runners aboard on an error and single, but stranded them on a groundnut and strikeout by Liller.
Moorefield failed to jump on the pond in the third inning on a flout by Liller, then two strikeouts to Hunt and Naomi Markwood.
Barboursvillerallied with six runs to take a 7-3 advantage in the bottom of the third inning which included seven consecutive hits.
Scarlett crushed a two-run producing double into center field to tie the game for Barboursville and the momentum continued with four RBI singles before Kylan Markwood collected a grounder to end the damage.
Moorefield’s Linville and See hit back-to-back singles with two outs in the fourth inning.
Bean delivered an RBI single on a shot into right field for a 7-4 score before a strikeout prevented another run.
Barboursville added one more insurance run in the fifth inning for the final score of 8-4 to advance to the state championship.
Moorefield pitcher Rebecca Liller picked up the 3-1 win over Ona-Milton with four strikeouts in the Herd consolation final.
Moorefield scored twice in the first inning for a 2-1 edge as Hunt hit an RBI single (Kylan Markwood 1B) and Naomi Markwood hammered an RBI double (Hunt). Moorefield added to the lead 2-1 in the fourth inning as See connected for an RBI single (Hunt BB).
Moorefield 10-12 Softball team visited the West Virginia State Capitol building and enjoyed the regatta during the West Virginia Little League State Tournament held at Little Creek Park in Charleston.
Moorefield 10-12 Softball’s Avelyn Bean waited at third base for a chance to score during the West Virginia Little League State Tournament in Charleston.
