After a historic win in game one of the regional finals, the Greenbrier East Lady Spartans fell behind early and could not come back in a 9-0 loss to the Red Dragons in game two on Tuesday, June 15. St Albans took the lead on a home run in the first inning and never looked back.
It was going to be an uphill battle in this one regardless as the Red Dragons are the number 1 ranked team in the state and had not lost a game all season until the Spartans beat them 5-4 in game one. Typically, when a team is that good, they always rebound from a loss.
In the first inning, St. Albans (29-1) got their offense started. They scored three runs when Gracie Payne homered on a 3-run shot off East starter, Taylor Graham.
Kendall Stoffel pitched St Albans to victory. She went five innings, allowed zero runs on four hits, struck out nine and did not walk a batter. She kept the Spartan bats off balance all evening.
Graham took the loss for East (19-7). The senior lasted 4.2 innings, gave up 11 hits and nine runs and had two strikeouts.
Tayven Stephenson went deep in the fifth inning for the Red Dragons final gut punch.
Patterson went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead East’s offense.
St. Albans finished up with 11 hits in the game.
The decisive game three took place Wednesday night, June 16 in Fairlea. The winner advanced to the state tournament. Check back on Friday to find out if the Spartans have a chance to play for a title or went home to begin the offseason.
