Petersburg—A young Southampton Academy softball team, whose best days may still be ahead, came up just short in the state championship game Friday in a 2-1 loss to conference rival Kenston Forest.

“We lost, but it was a great game and I’m just glad we could compete in it,” said Raiders’ coach Scott Speight.

A pitcher’s duel throughout, the game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning, when Kenston Forest managed to score two unearned runs after a walk, a hit and a fielding error. The Raiders scored in the top of the next inning when Brooke Mizelle tripled and was then driven in by Kate Wachsmann. Neither team was able to produce any more runs in a well-pitched game.

Kenston Forest starting pitcher Amber Gibson allowed only the one run, giving up just three hits to the Raiders. SA pitcher Brooke Mizelle scattered five hits over six innings.

Although disappointed with the loss, Speight’s opinion on the season and the future of the team is optimistic.

“To lose five starters (from last year’s team) and have everyone gel as a team — we got better as the season went along,” Speight said. “I’m definitely looking for great things next year.”

This year’s Raiders team has no seniors, and a number of younger players who made major contributions.