By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
The wait is over. East Hardy Softball won the Class A Region II Championship 8-1 over Tygarts Valley to reach the state tournament for the first time since 2011.
The journey to the state tournament featured a best-of-three series against the Bulldogs with all games hosted by East Hardy in Baker.
The Cougars edged Tygarts Valley 5-4 in the regional opener on Monday as senior Madison Strosnider tossed 16 strikeouts.
East Hardy’s Bella Bauserman provided the go-ahead lead on an RBI single plating Strosnider prior to stealing home for a 5-3 edge in the fifth inning.
Fast forward to the championship series second game finale as Strosnider once again entered the circle and delivered 14 strikeouts including four straight to seal the title victory.
East Hardy’s Charlee Hahn had monster championship appearance at the plate connecting for a double and triple with four RBIs to help elevate the crown.
“I am extremely proud of the players, because they are the ones that did it. They worked hard and grew as the season went and made this possible. It was a goal we set before the season even started. I feel we earned this opportunity through their hard work and dedication. Things were down last year and it was tough having only one win. The fact we had double digit wins this year is a big testament and huge turnaround. It is all them. They are the ones to make this happen. I am just here to watch. Madison and Gracie have worked a long time together and I am glad they can finish their careers on a high note. It is a great feeling and a great accomplishment. It was tough in previous years with Moorefield and Petersburg in our class. Now we are playing teams closer to our population,” East Hardy Softball coach Noah Orndorff stated.
Tygarts Valley’s Watson notched a single in the opening frame, but was stranded as Strosnider created three strikeouts surrounding that hit.
Jaylynn Combs launched a single into right field for the Cougars with one out, but also remained on the pond as the Bulldogs caught a fly ball and groundout.
Riddle drew a walk for the Bulldogs in the second inning, then Strosnider counters with three strikeouts.
Hahn and the Cougars (10-11) slashed on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning with a bases clearing double.
East Hardy’s Gracie Heishman got the ball rolling with a free pass, then Taylor McReynolds and Alexis Baker smacked singles to load the bases.
East Hardy’s Charlee Hahn crushed the bases clearing double into right field finding the fence for a 3-nil advantage.
Bulldogs prevented another run in that frame as Lanham responded with three straight strikeouts.
Strosnider sandwiched strikeouts around a walk in the third inning, then Bulldogs were able to find the scoreboard.
Tygarts Valley’s Chandler notched an RBI single on a sharp grounder to shortstop Jaylynn Combs with Smith dashing home on the throw.
East Hardy second baseman Paylynn Rexrode fielded the third out tossing over to first baseman Bella Bauserman.
The Cougars pounced fast in the third inning as Strosnider unleashed a double into left field and Bauserman took a free pass.
Heishman smacked an RBI groundout plating Strosnider and Bauserman safely slid into third base to boost the lead to 4-1.
Baker hit a sharp grounder to second base for a single and plated Bauserman in the process to extend the lead, 5-1.
Hahn stepped to the plate and hammered an RBI triple into center field to give the Cougars a 6-1 advantage.
East Hardy’s Danielle Funkhouser was given a walk and advanced to second base on defensive interference, but the Bulldogs got out of the jam with a strikeout by Lanham.
Strosnider issued a full-count walk to Riddle, but nothing else in the fourth inning for the Bulldogs to chew on two groundouts and a strikeout.
Combs received a walk, but got caught stealing second base.
Strosnider singled, but couldn’t be brought home.
Tygarts Valley commenced the fifth inning with a single by Lanham, then the Cougars responded with a strikeout, fly ball caught by Hahn in right field and Strosnider induced a groundout.
Hahn was given an intentional walk with two outs, then Danielle Funkhouser executed a bunt single and both runners advanced on an errant throw before Hahn was tagged out going home.
Tygarts Valley placed two on base with a single and walk with two outs, but Strosnider would close the door on that chance with a strikeout.
East Hardy started the bottom half of the sixth inning on double crushed by Rexrode.
Combs delivered an RBI single for a 7-1 score.
The Bulldogs collected two outs, but East Hardy wasn’t finished scoring as Heishman ripped an RBI double into right field for the final score of 8-1.
Strosnider finished the game with three strikeouts and the Cougars jumped in celebration winning the regional championship and the confetti added to the party.
East Hardy made some special celebration videos and chased each other with cupcakes around the field.
It has been 15 years for a state tournament appearance and the Cougars kept the celebration going all night.
East Hardy.
“It is very exciting. This is something we have wanted since my freshman year. We worked really hard this year to make it happen this year. Every time before the game we pray together and that calms our nerves. A blue slushy and Mountain Dew Baja Blast, plus a strawberry banana Body Armour is what we need. The funniest thing this year is when Jaylynn started saying ’shake and bake’ and Paylynn would say ‘fast and furious’, so I turned around and switch it to ‘furious and fast’ and we all laughed. My teammates have been very positive and uplifting when I am in the circle. I am happy we are going to the state tournament together,” East Hardy senior Madison Strosnider remarked.
A blue slushy and Mountain Dew Baja Blast were the good luck charms for Gracie Heishman and Madison Strosnider to savor the region championship.
“Blue slushies from Corner Mart helped get the win. It feels amazing. My older sister didn’t get to do this, so I feel lkie I am beating her. We’re a great team and we all like each other and get along. My faith makes me believe in myself and pushes me through the mistakes,” East Hardy senior Gracie Heishman noted.
The WVSSAC state softball tournament is on May 27-29 for the Cougars in Charleston this time around as opposed to Vienna back in 2011.
East Hardy is ready to bring the good vibes from Baker to Charleston and will be joined by co-Region II champion and defending state champion Pendleton County.
