Rockets, Cardinals win sectional titles

By Dan Ries

Sports Reporter

The Conotton Valley Lady Rockets are returning to District play after defeating Malvern and Shadyside in convincing fashion this past week to win the Division IV East District sectional softball title.

Sophomore Madison Kelley threw her first career no hitter and the Rockets used an eight run third inning to defeat the Malvern Hornets 12-0 in the first round of the Division IV softball tournament at Leesville May 7.  Kelley gave up two walks and struck out nine in five innings of work.

Braxton Neilson started the third inning with a walk for the winners. Mylie Galigher followed with an infield single. After a pop out, Delilah Williams singled to right driving in a run. Jenica Frutig hit a double to clear the bases and later scoring herself on a passed ball. Delaney Peters drew a walk and Arionna Spano followed with a single to left. Gretchin Rolli laid down a bunt single that was mishandled by the defense, allowing the runners to advance. Neilson would single to drive in the last run of the inning.

Offensively, the Rockets were led by Frutig, who was 3-3 with a double and triple, three RBIs and two runs scored. Williams went 3-3 with a triple, scored two runs and two RBIs. Neilson was 2-2 with two RBIs and three runs scored. She also stole three bases.

Shadyside

Kelley followed up her no-hitter by holding Shadyside to just two hits in a 7-2 victory May 10 in Leesville. She also went 2-3 at the plate with a triple and two RBIs.

The host Rockets took a 1-0 first inning lead, but Shadyside would take a 2-1 lead in the top of the second. Conotton tied things up in the bottom of the third with an RBI single by Kelley. The Rockets exploded for four runs in the fourth. A single by Frutig plated three runs and Kelley followed with a triple to drive in Frutig. They added a run in the sixth to round out the scoring.

Neilson went 3-4 with a double scoring three runs and one RBI. Frutig was 2-4 with three RBIs and a run. Gretchin Rolli scored two runs. Conotton outhit Shadyside 10-2. Both teams struck out 10 times.

Kelley tossed seven innings giving up two earned runs on two hits, four walks while striking out ten. Shadyside led in errors 3-1.

SANDY VALLEY

The Sandy Valley Lady Cardinals won the team’s second sectional championship May 11 by beating Garaway 1-0 on the strength of Bella Meade’s seven inning, one hit shutout. 

They will face Edison in the first round of the district semifinals. Bre Beckett drove in the only run in the fourth with a single.

Meade gave up just one hit, two walks and struck out two to earn the victory. It was her second shutout in a row as Meade and the Cardinals shutout Bellaire 8-0 on May 6 in the first round of the sectional tournament.

Against Bellaire, Meade went the distance in the circle giving up five hits and two walks while striking out three. Breeli Faiello was 2-2 with two home runs and six RBIs. Her homeruns came in the first and second innings. Bellaire intentionally walked her on her next two at bats. Teresa Petro added a double. Beckett went 2-3 with two singles and a RBI.

The Lady Cardinals scored three in the first and four in the second to grab a commanding 7-0 lead. They added a run in the fifth to finish the scoring. The Cardinals outhit Bellaire 8-5. Both teams committed an error.