PRINCETON- The Greenbrier East Lady Spartans softball team hit the road to Mercer County on Thursday, March 19 to open their new 2026 campaign against their old rivals, the Princeton Lady Tigers.
And it didn’t take long to roll to victory number one as the Spartans defeated Princeton 22-2 in just three innings of play.
East (1-0) scored 11 runs in the top of the first frame that opened with a Maddie Baker RBI double and a run scoring single from Haylee Heaster. The Spartans had just six hits in the game and ironically, they all came in the first. Heaster came up again later in the first with the bases loaded and took an 0-2 pitch and crushed it over the left field fence for a grand slam. That capped the 11-run inning.
East scored 11 more in the second without recording a hit, a truly amazing stat in itself. They drew seven walks, the Tigers (0-1) committed two errors, and Campbell Bundy reached base on a passed ball third strike.
All in all, it was a very positive season opener for Greenbrier East.
Heaster led the way and went 2-4, with the grand slam, 3 runs scored and 6 RBI. Sydney Norman, Norah Ambler, Bundy, and Baker all had one hit each. The Lady Spartans also had five players score three runs each; Baker, Heaster, Ambler, Lacy Patriacca, and Norman.
Junior Kennah Collins got the start in the pitcher’s circle and went two innings, allowed two hits, two runs, and struck out four. Freshman Chloey Weikle pitched the final frame and although she allowed a hit and walked a batter, she struck out three.
The Lady Spartans host another rival, Woodrow Wilson on Friday evening, March 20.
