Softball Showdown Goes To Patriots

It was a unique set of circumstances that faced Lee-Davis and Patrick Henry as they took to the diamond Thursday afternoon in Ashland.

The Patriots were 4-0 and looking to do, again, what no other team was able to do in 2011, defeat Lee-Davis, who went on to win the state title.

The Confederates were taking the field for the first time in 2012, with their first two games postponed due to the death of Head Coach Jackie Davis' father. On top of that, they were missing star pitcher Kelly Heinz, out for the year after arm surgery.

With all that playing against Lee-Davis, they held their own against Patrick Henry for most of the game, until the Patriots broke open for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to go on to win 6-1.

Emma Mitchell scattered five hits and struck out eight, giving up her first earned run of the year in the top of the seventh, but by then, the game was in hand. Mitchell worked hard for the victory, throwing 120 pitches.

Sam Moore homered in the sixth, while Allison Tingler went four for four and scored two runs.

The Patriots (3-0, 5-0) return to Colonial District action Friday afternoon at 4:30pm against John Marshall. Lee-Davis (0-1) hosts Deep Run in another tough out-of-district test Monday at 6pm.