Lady Kavs fall in state semifinals
Published 1:38 pm Wednesday, May 24, 2017
- Kenston Forest School’s Berkley Rose looks to add to her team’s valiant rally inaa the taaaaop of the seventh inning Thursday during the VISAA Division III state semifinals in
The fourth-seeded Kenston Forest School varsity softball team lost to No. 1 Fuqua School in the state semifinals Thursday, but the Lady Kavaliers did not go quietly.
They broke up a scoreless game by taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning at the Dinwiddie Sports Complex in Sutherland, but the Lady Falcons responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth and three more in the bottom of the sixth to take a commanding 7-1 lead.
The end seemed imminent for Kenston Forest in the top of the seventh when the score remained the same with two outs on the board, but then the Lady Kavs put together a valiant rally. Fuqua eventually got the final out for the win, but not before the score had become 7-6 in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) Division III state semifinal game.
Kenston Forest Head Coach Jannon Coley said she expected the game to be close, and it briefly became a blowout.
“But you know what, we came back that last inning, and we broke loose,” she said. “So, all in all, it was a great game. It was awesome.”
Leading the Lady Kavs on offense was Josie Epperson, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Rebecca Hadley and Rachel Tucker each went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mackenzie Coley had a double and two RBIs, and Savannah Gunn went 1-for-2 with one RBI.
Also going 2-for-4 at the plate each were Berkaley Rose and Haley Henshaw. Molly Epperson added a hit, giving her team 14 for the game.
Lydia Wrenn represented the Lady Kavaliers in the circle, throwing four strikeouts.
Kenston Forest finished the 2017 season with a 12-12 record.
“We started off slow, but I tell you what, we picked it up,” Coach Coley said. “And I’m glad we picked it up at the end. I’d rather pick it up at the end and get to this point, than to start off way ahead and then slow down. So, we peaked at the right time, and they … played their heart out.”
She said she will be losing five seniors, four of which are starters, “but you know what, I think we’re going to be good. We’re going to be tough to contend with in the next few years.”
