WINDSOR—It was the last home game of the season for the Lady Dukes on Tuesday at the Windsor High School softball field. Add to that it was Senior Day and a brief ceremony took place to recognize and thank five Lady Duke senior players for their service to the team for the season.

After the ceremony, the Lady Dukes went to work on the visiting Surry Lady Cougars and handed them a 22-1 present in defeat.

The Lady Dukes opened their powerful offense in the 1st inning as Morgan Whitley and Kelsey Shaffer crossed home plate to give the Lady Dukes their first 2 scores of the game. In the 2nd inning the batters for the Dukes went to work and scored 13 runs. Brittany Wade hit an inside-the-park home run and brought in two runners as the Lady Dukes increased their lead to 14-0. By the end of the 3rd inning the Dukes added 5 more runs to extend the margin to 19-0.

In the 4th inning of play, Lady Duke Head Coach Sean Wade sent in Lydia Willis to the mound to replace starting pitcher Brooke Sutphin. Going back to bat in the 4th inning, the Lady Dukes added 3 more runs that included a home run by Shaffer.

Entering the 5th and final inning, coach Wade placed Abbie Jones on the mound to close out the game. The Cougars scored their only run in the game in this inning.

In comments by coach Wade after the game, “I want to give credit to our seniors. We adjusted well to a different type of pitching.

We approached the plate well and played good defense. With a 12-3 record we are both looking forward to and feel good about the upcoming conference playoffs.”

Windsor defeats Franklin 14-4

On May 15, the Lady Dukes defeated the Lady Broncos 14-4. Coach Wade started younger players Alaura Ellsworth, Kristina Dixon and Jordan Allen and said they played well in the victory.

Wade said as of that day, five players were batting more than .500.

They are Brittany Wade, .595; Kelsey Shaffer, .553; Payton Gay, .553; Kelsey Searcy, .528; and Morgan Whitley, .500.

Windsor outlasts Southampton 5-4

On May 17, Windsor defeated Southampton 5-4. Brittany Wade had 3 hits, including a home run and 3 RBIs. Payton Gay and Abbie Jones picked up the other RBIs.

Brooke Sutphin pitched 7 innings, striking out 5. Three of the runs were earned.

“Southampton has a very talented and great team,” said Wade. “I have the pleasure of working with those girls in travel ball. Susan Melbye is a class-act as a coach.

“Competing in our district against teams like Southampton prepares us for conference play.”

CAIN MADDEN, managing editor, contributed to this report.