LEWISBURG (WVDN) – The Greenbrier East Lady Spartans jumped out to an early lead over the Ripley Lady Vikings and took home a 9-6 victory on Friday, Mar. 25 at Spartan Field.
It was an important early season win for East as Ripley is typically an annual thorn in their side.
In the opening inning, the Spartans scored on a single by Taylor Boswell, a double by Olivia Plybon and a single by Josi Ervin. A single by Boswell in the second inning, and a steal of home by Brooke Davis also in the second, put the Spartans ahead 6-2 at that point.
Ripley (2-2) scored three runs in the third inning. Jenna Farrell ripped a line-drive RBI double to center, then Mary Parsons stole home before a pitch was even thrown. Jillyane Butler then knocked an RBI single to center that scored Farrell, and Ripley had cut into the Spartan lead at 6-5.
But that was as close as the Vikings would get.
Boswell had an RBI groundout that plated Aubrey Glover for a 7-5 cushion, then with a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the sixth frame, Lily Carola scored on a groundout and Rylee Norman knocked in Josi Ervin with a base hit that sealed the deal.
Ervin was the winning pitcher for the Spartans. The lefty went four innings, allowed five runs on eight hits and struck out two. Carola threw three solid innings in relief out of the bullpen.
Sidney Varney took the loss for the Vikings. She pitched six innings, allowed 13 hits and nine runs while striking out seven.
Greenbrier East (3-1) totaled 13 hits. Davis, Rylee Norman, Ervin, Lindsey Black, and Boswell all managed multiple hits for Greenbrier East Varsity Spartans. Boswell had a team-leading three RBI’s and Plybon added two.
Davis had two stolen bases and scored two runs.
Ripley had nine hits on the night. Varney and Farrell each had two hits apiece to lead their respective team.
The Spartans will head to Beckley this Monday, March 28 to face their rival, the Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles.
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