Orange County’s softball team has an almost entirely new look this year as the Hornets replace several key contributors from last year’s state tournament squad headlined by All-State star Aysha Richardson who is now contributing at Virginia Tech.
But the young Hornets showed a lot of fight Tuesday night with a late-inning rally to beat Western Albemarle 10-7.
“We’re a very young team but they fought to the end,” said Orange coach Doris Buzzell. “I’m very impressed.”
Western built a 7-1 lead on the Hornets largely on the strength of a five-run third inning that Molly Dunsmore and Jenny Belling got started with a pair of singles. That set the table for Makayla Shifflett’s three-run home run. Melissa Seeley and Sarah Winkler also scored as the Warriors jumped way out in front.
In the top of the fourth thought, the Hornets broke back, scoring four runs to pull within two at 7-5, with a Tearra Goode triple doing the bulk of the damage. After a run in the fifth, Orange clamped down on the Warriors and took the lead with a four-run sixth helped by some savvy base-running. Jamie Anderson scored the final of the rally that put Western in a three-run going into the final frame.
“We have speed once we get on, but (our hitting has) been really touch and go because of the weather,” Buzzell said.
Western’s program is still in the midst of a rebuilding process, but pushing Orange County to the brink was a big step for the Warriors. Dunsmore’s early pitching helped the Warriors jump out to a big lead.
“We are taking strides every year, we’ve got a junior varsity program this year which is going to be beneficial in the future,” said Western coach Mia Fields. “The girls work hard, I think great strides are being made in the program.”
