The Lady Cougar softball team saw their season come to an end last week with a 1-6 loss to Louisa County on the road to open the Class 4, Region D playoffs.
The Lady Cougars finish the season with a record of 10-11, with wins over Radford, Patrick Henry, George Wythe, Hidden Valley, and Salem. Their losses came against Carroll County (17-4), Floyd County (9-13), Christiansburg (12-9), Blacksburg (17-6), Cave Spring (19-4), and Louisa County (21-1).
The game came down to one big inning for Louisa County. After taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the Lions and Lady Cougars failed to score in each of the next two innings. After a three-and-out for Pulaski County in the top of the fourth, Louisa County found some new life.
The inning started with a routine ground out, then the Lions connected for a single to center field. Another single, this time to left field, put runners on first and second. Pulaski County committed an error on a grounder with the next batter, allowing the Lion runner to reach base, but also scored a runner and allowed all runners to advance. A fly ball to center field resulted in an out, but the runner on third tagged to score. Another Lady Cougar error allowed the next batter to reach first, but also scored another run. A double by the next batter moved the score to 6-0 for the Lions before the inning ended.
Addison Puckett started the top of the fifth inning off with a single. After a strikeout, Tori Vest stepped in and connected for a double that allowed Puckett to score from first base. A strikeout and pop fly ended the inning with the Lady Cougars trailing by what was to be the final score of 1-6.
Pulaski County ended the day with three hits and five errors. Louisa County had 10 hits and no errors. Vest, Puckett, and Cassidy Price each recorded hits for the Lady Cougars.
Laken Greever went the distance on the pitching rubber for the Lady Cougars, giving up 10 hits and six runs (none earned) with no walks and two strikeouts.
Emily Gillespie handled the pitching duties for Louisa County, giving up three hits and one earned run with allowing no walks and striking out 13 Lady Cougar batters.
While it was disappointing to see the season end, the Lady Cougars did show improvements in several areas this year. As a team there were 137 hits, including 33 doubles, four triples, and 15 big home runs. Pulaski County scored 112 runs and walked 55 times. The team had an overall batting average of .253 and an on-base percentage of .334.
The Pulaski County pitching staff allowed 165 hits, 118 runs (55 earned), and 32 walks while striking out 140 batters. The two Lady Cougar pitchers had a combined ERA of 2.969 in 21 games.
Addison Puckett pitched 3.1 innings, giving up eight hits, seven runs, and two walks while striking out one batter.
Laken Greever pitched 126.1 innings, giving up 157 hits, 11 runs (52 earned), and 30 walks while striking out 139 batters. Her season ERA was 2.881.
Emily Webb finished the season with 23 hits, five home runs, 22 RBI, 16 runs, and five walks. Her batting average was an impressive .348 and her on-base percentage was .403.
Sydney Phibbs finished with 22 hits, two home runs, 10 RBI, 14 runs, and three walks. Her batting average was .338 and her on-base percentage was .368.
Addison Puckett finished with 17 hits, three home runs, 14 RBI, 15 runs, and seven walks. Her average was .309 and her on-base percentage was .397.
Tori Vest earned 16 hits, 15 RBI, five runs, and eight walks with a batting average of .286 and an on-base percentage of .375.
Cassidy Price had 13 hits, five RBI, nine runs, and four walks with a .250 average and a .298 on-base percentage.
Paige Huff had 13 hits, three RBI, 13 runs, and five walks. Her average was .183 with a .237 on-base percentage.
Webb led the team with her five home runs, but Puckett and Madolyn Legg added three each. Phibbs and Victoria Hale added two home runs each. Hale had the highest number of runs scored with 17. Webb and Legg had 16 each. Puckett had 15. Phibbs had 14 and Huff had 13. Greever, Legg, and Vest each earned eight walks. Puckett had seven.