Published: May 08, 2008 11:07 pm            

Shady Spring slips past Mavericks in regional softball semifinals

BECKLEY — After running through the ringer of Independence and Oak Hill’s outstanding pitchers in the sectionals, Shady Spring could have used a break in the Region 3 opener.

James Monroe had other ideas.

The Tigers had to make the most of two hits off Mavericks freshman Carsyn Boothe Thursday to post a 3-1 victory in the semifinal at Oak Hill.

Sophomore third baseman Lydia Honaker’s triple off the right-field fence in the sixth inning decided the game.

“(Boothe) is a good pitcher. She’s real consistent,” Honaker, said. “She threw a pretty pitch, but I saw it coming down the middle and put all my weight into it.”

Honaker’s smash scored Lindsey Stalnaker, who had walked and scored second. Honaker followed her home moments later on a wild pitch.

Shady’s other run came in the first inning, when Tia Via singled, stole second base and scored on an infield error.

Boothe struck out six while walking four.

“I had Carson during JV basketball and I knew she had the ability to come in here and not crack under pressure,” Mavericks coach Judy Meadows said. “She did a real good job. I was proud of her.”

The 7-9 Mavericks made two errors but backed their young pitcher with three double plays.

Two were on throws from the outfield. A third came when Jayna Sayre tried to steal second after Julia Smyth struck out.

Catcher Christy Gravely’s throw bounced off shortstop Jade McDaniel’s glove and bounced to second baseman Ann Jackson, who tagged Sayre out.

“We can make ugly look so pretty,” Meadows said. “A lot of it comes from the fact that if they make a mental goof, I have some real athletes who can pull it out.”

Eight-time defending Region 3 champ Shady’s own promising freshman pitcher, Amber Woody, had a no-hitter through 3 2/3 innings and maintained a shutout until the seventh.

She gave up a line-drive single to left by Christy Gravely and then hit Toni Brown on the leg with a pitch.

Chasity Galford reached base on a fielder’s choice, extinguishing Brown and then Woody uncorked a wild pitch, scoring Gravely.

Boothe drew a walk, but Woody struck out Olivia Utterback on three pitches to end the game.

She finished with a three-hitter, walking two and striking out four.

Coach Angela Bostic said Woody wasn’t tired, but had a bout with nerves.

“Amber’s feeling a lot of pressure and rightfully so,” she said. “But she did well. She battles well.”

The 15-16 Tigers will meet Wyoming East next Thursday at Independence for the Region 3 crown.

James Monroe will graduate five starters — catcher Gravely, first baseman Sam Canterbury, left fielder Brown, center fielder Taylor Fullen and right fielder Chasity Galford.

“We lose quite a bit — a lot of experience and heart,” Meadows said. “But we have six on the bench who are ready to step up.

“I’m real proud of them and real excited for next year.”

dstillwell@

register-herald.com



Shady Spring................100 002 0 — 3 2 1

James Monroe..............000 000 1 — 1 3 2

Amber Woody and Brandi Phillips. Carsyn Booth and Christy Gravely. WP — Woody. LP — Boothe. Hitting — Shady Spring: Tia Via 1-3 (run), Lydia Honaker 1-3 (3b, rbi, run), Lindsey Stalnaker (run), James Monroe: Christy Gravely 2-3 (run), Toni Brown 1-2.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.