By Liz Keller / Scrimmageplay.com contributor
Fluvanna’s softball team got off to a strong start and never looked back en route to a win over Fort Defiance in the Conference 29 consolation game played at Monticello High School on Friday.
The Flucos got timely hits up and down the batting order and rode the arm of Rebecca Crothers to the 8-3 victory.
With the win, Fluvanna secured a berth in the Region 3A West tournament.
“We all brought our A-game and everything just fell into place,” said Crothers, a right-hander who scattered eight hits over seven innings to earn the win.
Sophie Kershner gave the Flucos an early spark, smacking a two-run double to right-center field in the first inning. Fluvanna tacked on another run in the inning after an errant throw by Indians’ starter Lindsey Simmons on a ball hit by Tyler Haislip.
Crothers gave up a home run to the leadoff batter Simmons in the bottom half of the inning, but quickly recovered. The senior forced a popup at second and recorded two strikeouts to end the frame.
The Flucos added two more runs in the second on RBI singles from Kershner and Haislip.
Crothers settled down over the next several innings, using her riseball and low outside pitch to keep batters off-balance. Her teammates provided support with efficient fielding throughout. Shaheen was especially solid at shortstop with several nice snags, including an acrobatic move out of bounds to get an out in the fourth inning and a nifty stop on a grounder to end the game.
According to Fluvanna coach Tre Smith, the team seems to be peaking at just the right time.
“We’ve always started off slow, and we’ve been averaging about three errors a game,” Smith said. “But in the last four games, we’ve had maybe one error. So that’s been the biggest [key] — getting those outs when we’re supposed to.”
The Indians battled back, scoring a run in the fifth on a RBI single from Hannah Shoemaker, then cut the Flucos’ lead to 5-3 in the sixth.
However, Crothers gave Fluvanna the boost it needed at just the right time, belting a two-run homer over the left field wall to put the game out of reach.
“She basically told me to take that bunt sign and shove it out the window,” said Smith with a laugh. “She’s been a gritty player all year for us. We’ve had to count on her to pitch a lot of games and she hasn’t complained at all.”
Fluvanna completed the scoring with a RBI single from Shaheen, who finished 2 for 4. Madison Kennedy and Kershner each finished 3 for 4. Simmons, Shoemaker and Joy Hedrick had two hits apiece for Fort Defiance.
The Flucos will travel to Lord Botetourt on Monday at 5 p.m. for a first-round region game.
