The Salem High softball team played an “instant classic” against Amherst County Monday but, unfortunately for the Spartan faithful, the visiting Lancers got the win. Amherst came from 4-1 down after five innings to win, 6-4, in eight innings at the Moyer Complex.
This was a Region 4D semifinal game and the Spartans came in as the second seed. The first three innings were scoreless with River Ridge District Player-of-the-Year Cora Robinson on the mound for the Spartans.
Amherst scratched first with a run in the top of the fourth but the Spartans fired back with a rally in the bottom of the fifth. With one out and a runner on second senior Caitlin Wells doubled to the right centerfield gap to tie the game at 1-1. Kayden Dalton then hit a foul ball over the first baseman’s head and Wells tagged to move to third. The throw was wild and Wells came home, sliding under the tag to give the Spartans their first lead at 2-1.
Salem scored two more in the inning as Robinson doubled, Furmage singled and Evie Van Liew doubled and Salem led 4-1 after five.
The Lancers would not go quietly. They tied the game in the top of the sixth and scored two in the top of the eighth as Cora Grace Sparger relieved Robinson in the circle. Salem had the tying runs on base in the bottom of the eighth but the Lancers were able to escape the jam and move on to Wednesday’s south sub-region championship game against 17-1 Jefferson Forest. Wells, Furmage and Van Liew finished with two hits each for the Spartans.
“It was an exciting game,” said Salem coach Jeremy Wells. “Obviously not the result we wanted, but just extremely proud of our group. We battled to the finish in a great high school softball game.”
“The atmosphere at Moyer for our game was incredible. It was really cool to look up in the stands and see so many up there supporting us. Our players loved that energy and it was a lot of fun. We certainly appreciate the support from the Salem community and appreciate all the staff from the City of Salem taking care of the fields for us all year long.”
The All-River Ridge District team was named in the past week and the district champion Spartans were well-represented. Robinson was named first team at pitcher and, as mentioned, was the RRD Player-of-the-Year. Caitlin Wells was the first team catcher and second team selections were Sparger at pitcher, Van Liew at third base and Furmage in the outfield. Jeremy Wells was named Coach-of-the-Year.
Robinson, Sparger and Caitlin Wells are all seniors but Salem has a solid core of players returning next season. Salem finished 17-5-1.
“Our players worked hard from offseason workouts and we had a great season,” said Wells. “Sad for our seniors and we’ll miss them and all they did for us. Their impact on our program won’t be forgotten. We wish them the best in the future.”
“We’ll take a few weeks and reflect on the season we had and all that we accomplished. Though young, we have a lot of talent coming back in our program and we’ll be excited to get back to work. We had four freshman and two sophomores on our team this year and they will lead us into next year, along with several other talented players in the program. We just have to work hard again and keep getting better in the offseason and keep growing.”
PHOTO BY BRIAN HOFFMAN
