Moorefield arose as a phoenix, before being ousted by Huntington at state tournament

By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner

Moorefield 8-10 Softball All-Stars arose from the ashes like a phoenix behind a pitching gem by Margo See and hot bat from Chloe Mongold to edge Mountain State 2-1 in the West Virginia Little League State Tournament Herd elimination round prior to being stonewalled by Huntington with a 7-nil shutout at the edge of entering the state semifinals in Hedgesville.

Moorefield pitcher Margo See tossed 13 strikeouts with a one-hitter against Mountain State to help keep the team alive in the state tournament.

Moorefield batter Chloe Mongold smacked the ball into center field for a two-run producing single in the fifth inning with runners on the corners, plating Tatum Crites and Addie Baldwin, who drew walks earlier in the frame to create a 2-nil edge.

See and the Moorefield defense allowed just one run by Mountain State in the sixth inning coming on an error after a walk for a final score of 2-1.

Moorefield ran out of steam in the Herd consolation final round, but kept the score at 1-0 through three innings, then Huntington added three insurance runs in the fourth inning en route to a 7-0 shutout with pitcher Minka keeping Moorefield off-balanced with nine strikeouts.

Moorefield’s Margo See started in the circle again against Huntington and commenced the Herd finals with a strikeout, then Huntington stayed patient at the plate drawing two free passes.

Huntington’s Anniston stole home plate for the initial lead, then See counted with a strikeout and first baseman Reagan Funk caught a pop-up to retire the side.

Moorefield’s Addie Baldwin notched a single, but was stranded on two fly balls and a strikeout.

See recorded another one of her seven strikeouts of the Herd consolation final in the second inning against Huntington, then allowed a single on a sharp grounder by Julie, who was thrown out at second base by catcher Tatum Crites before the side ended on a fly out to right fielder Arianne Taylor.

Moorefield went down in order on a groundnut and two strikeouts.

See put Huntington down in order in the third inning with three consecutive strikeouts.

Moorefield’s Presley Shockey singled with one out and advanced on a sacrifice bunt btw Hadley Weese before being stranded on a strikeout.

After a walk to Huntington’s Aletheia, See jammed Huntington’s Cali into a bunt pop-up back to her for the first out of the fourth inning.

Anniston singled and and Nia drew a walk to load the bases, then See responded with a strikeout.

Huntington cleared the bases stealing home for a 4-0 advantage before a catch by Baldwin retired the side.

Baldwin received a free pass, but couldn’t be brought home on a strikeout and pop-up.

Huntington’s Josie and Jiulie singled off Moorefield pitcher Addie Baldwin in the fifth inning, then Baldwin induced a groundout with Josie scoring in the process.

Moorefield got out of the jam as Crites made a tag at home plate and Baldwin tossed a strikeout to retire the side.

Moorefield failed to jump on the pond with a strikeout and two groundouts.

Moorefield pitcher Danica Mongold started the sixth inning hitting a batter, then made an adjustment creating a strikeout.

Huntington’s Aletheia smoked an RBI single into center field to exited the lead to 6-0.

Mongold induced a groundout fielded by third baseman Chloe Mongold.

A wild pitch allowed Aletheia to steal home for the final score of 7-0.

Mongold loaded the bases with two walks before closing the side with a strikeout.

Moorefield went down in order as Huntington celebrated advancing to the state semifinals.