The Glenvar softball team was eliminated from Region 2C competition by Giles last week as the Spartans won a shootout on the Highlanders’ field, 13-11.

This was a big upset, as Glenvar had beaten Giles twice during the regular season, 22-2 and 11-3. It looked like more of the same when the Highlanders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and Glenvar still led 5-3 after four.

However, the fifth inning proved to be one of the worst of the season for the Highlanders. A series of hits by Giles and fielding errors by Glenvar led to a seven run inning for Giles as the Highlanders fell behind 10-5. In the sixth inning Giles added three more runs, increasing their lead to 13-6.

In the bottom of the sixth inning Glenvar was able to get three of those runs back, narrowing the lead to 13-9.  The Highlanders were able to shut down Giles in the seventh and scored two quick runs in the bottom of the seventh, closing the lead to 13-11, with no outs.  However, that was as close as it would get and Glenvar’s season ended with an 11-9 record.

“The loss was very disappointing and it hit the team hard,” said coach Lonnie Raines. “I know this team is young and it has only fueled their desire to work harder.”

Glenvar will return the entire starting lineup next year and three freshmen, Courtney Raines, McKenna Shearer and Justice Wilfong, all missed time with injuries. The jayvee team only lost one game.

“The future looks bright as not only does this team have a talented group of underclassmen on the varsity team, they also have a talented group of eighth graders, some of which will most likely see varsity time next year,” said Raines.