By Carl Holcomb
The Yellow Jackets buzzed back from a 3-nil deficit and was on the precipice of a game-winning opportunity with two runners in scoring position in the final inning, but Keyser ace Leighton Johnson stifled the last two batters to seal a 4-3 victory and notched 14 strikeouts overall.
“[Leighton Johnson] Leighton is a rock, she is our ace. She doesn’t get bothered by anything like that and stays stoned cold with it. It was good to see everyone bear down with it. She lives for that moment. We’ve had a few close games this year and it really sharpens us. You have to win those close games. I expected a close game with Moorefield. We played them last week and I told my girls not to underestimate them. They are a good team and it showed today, props to them. We didn’t execute a lot of the small things, but it all comes down to bearing down and getting the job done,” Keyser coach Cody Spotts remarked.
The Yellow Jackets had big chances, but couldn’t make the key swings to catapult past the Golden Tornado.
“We continue to have trouble striking out too much. Our bats are always talking, but we struck out when it counted,” Moorefield coach Jason Markwood stated.
Moorefield pitcher Annie Barr pitched the whole game and allowed 10 hits and issued five free passes.
Barr opened the game inducing a groundout prior to a catch by right fielder Ella Poling.
Keyser’s Bibs Felton was given a walk, then Moorefield second baseman Brenna See created a fielder’s choice out stopping Felton.
Moorefield went down in order as Emmy Crites flew out to Addison Paugh in left field, Grace Simmons hit a line drive to Paugh and Brenna See was thrown out on a dropped third strike.
Keyser’s Madyson McIntyre opened the second inning with a single blooper into center field, then Susanna Consenza smacked a grounder to third baseman Emmy Crites creating a fielder’s choice out.
Tavery Lyons tapped a single into center field for the Golden Tornado.
Keyser’s Aleah Smith created the initial lead 1-0 on an RBI single with a sharp grounder hopping into left field.
Moorefield left fielder Kiersten Rinker turned a double play to retire the side.
Barr crushed a double, but was stranded on two groundouts sandwiching a strikeout.
Barr induced groundouts by Keyser’s Brielle Root and Sophie Lambka.
The Golden Tornado countered with patience on a walk to Felton, then Johnson hit a laser to enter field for a single.
McIntyre smacked an RBI single on a sharp grounder into left field for a 2-0 lead.
Barr jammed Consent into a pop-up to Kerigan Bergdall getting out of the inning without further damage.
The Yellow Jackets failed to get on the wind on a groundout and two strikeouts from Johnson.
Lyons drew a walk, then Smith hit into a fielder’s choice for Keyser.
Paugh garners a single into shallow center field and stranded as Barr induced two groundouts to Bergdall and Raleigh Kuykendall’s gloves.
Moorefield’s Grace Simmons hit a sharp single dribbling up the middle, but would remain on the pond due to Johnson throwing three straight strikeouts.
Felton received a third walk and Johnson singled, then Rinker caught a fly ball and Kuydendall turned a double play with a catch and tag on first base.
The Yellow Jackets couldn’t get buzzing in the bottom half with two strikeouts and a groundout.
Lyons and Smith notched back-to-back singles in the fifth inning and advanced on a groundout.
Root recorded an RBI groundout, then the side was retired on a catch by center fielder Caroline Auville.
After a groundout, Crites smacked a single past the diving shortstop.
Simmons crushed an RBI triple as the Yellow Jackets sliced the deficit to 3-1.
Johnson answered with a a strikeout, but Moorefield refused to pack it in quietly.
Barr rocketed an RBI single into center field, then Bergdall singled with a wicked hop to Felton.
Johnson prevented another run with a strikeout.
Felton walked in the seventh inning again, then Johnson hit into a fielder’s choice.
McIntyre ripped an RBI double into center field as Keyser took a 4-2 lead.
The Yellow Jackets retired the side on a double play as Bergdall fired to Kuykendall at first base, who made a laser to Crites for the tag at third base.
Kutkendall reached base on an error with one out, then Rinker drew a free pass.
Crites delivered an RBI double into left field as the Yellow Jackets closed the gap to 4-3.
Johnson remained stoic and focused on recording two game ending strikeouts for the Golden Tornado survival win on the road.
