Lady Dukes advance to state tournament
Published 1:12 pm Saturday, June 2, 2018
- In front, from left, Torri Queen, E.J. Bankson, Jackie Opauski, Madison O’Brien, Alyssa Funai, Hailey Delgado, Sydney Carter; back, Kayce Gray, Makayla Burks, Cameron Pagan, Austin Gore, Edythe Carr, Averi Westheimer, Whitlee Hughes, Sydney Turner, Olivia Holmes and Lexy Messey. -- Submitted | Mandy Smith
by Jonathan Smith
WINDSOR
The Lady Dukes shut out the Washington & Lee Lady Eagles 3-0 to earn a spot in the 1A Region A Championship game and a spot in the VHSL State Tournament.
The Lady Dukes got on the board early with a three-run first inning. In the inning, seniors Alyssa Funai and E.J. Bankson and freshman Whitlee Hughes picked up RBIs. It was all the offense the Lady Dukes would need to handle the Lady Eagles.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Lady Eagles threatened after a leadoff double by Diamond Covington. The rally was ended when senior Hailey Delgado made an amazing catch in the left field gap and Bankson struck out the next two Eagles to get out of the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the game was postponed due to heavy rains. After a 45-minute delay, the game was suspended and continued to Thursday at 7 p.m.
Bankson picked up right where she left off, striking out six Lady Eagles to finish the game for the Lady Dukes. She went all seven innings, striking out 12 and walking one on four hits.
The Lady Dukes hosted Rappahannock on Friday for the Regional Championship. The game was scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Results were not available at press time.
JONATHAN SMITH is the assistant softball coach at Windsor High School. He can be reached at 242-4948.
