The Central High School varsity softball team fell 3-0 to visiting Goochland High School on Thursday, but the Lady Chargers were able to start their week with a 6-4 road win against Bluestone High School on May 10.

Against the Lady Bulldogs, “our bats were silent,” Central Coach Karen McGrath said. “We had one hit on the night to Goochland’s seven.”

Senior MeriAgnes Dalton had the Lady Chargers’ only hit — a single to right field.

“Meri is our cleanup batter and has been a consistent hitter all season,” McGrath said. “You can always count on her to put the ball in play and move runners. She is also our catcher who has been responsible for many putouts during the season. In one game, she was responsible for two double plays.” 

McGrath noted Dalton is one of the captains on the team and leads the Lady Chargers in batting average, on-base and slugging percentage. She is one of only two seniors on the team.

The only other player who reached base against Goochland was sophomore pitcher Hailey Bayne, who got hit by a pitch.

While she was in the circle, Bayne threw 14 strikeouts.

“We played well defensively, overall,” McGrath said. “The only defensive errors, unfortunately, cost us the game. Two out of the three runs were unearned.”

In the victory over Bluestone, Bayne threw seven strikeouts.

Junior designated hitter TanJaNeka Freeman had three RBIs on the night.

“She is a solid hitter and, with her speed, can capitalize on a bunt whether it is a sacrifice or not,” McGrath said. “She always moves runners.”

Freshman third baseman Emma Hart was 2-for-4, with hits to left field both times.  She also reached base on a fielder’s choice and scored three out of Central’s six runs.
Sophomore center fielder Kaylee Williams bunted three times and reached first base each time. She scored two of the Lady Chargers’ runs.

Junior shortstop Ashley Genova was 2-for-4, with hits to left and center field. She scored the first run on the night.

Junior left fielder and leadoff batter Kayla Anthony got hit by a pitch to start off the game and walked later.

Central had seven hits compared to the Lady Barons’ two.

The Lady Chargers (5-12) host Cumberland County High School on Thursday, and they were scheduled to visit Amelia County High School on Tuesday.

“Winning these games will help us with conference seeding that begins on Monday,” McGrath said.