VHSL CLASS 2 SOFTBALL: Richlands falls to battle-tested King William squad (copy)
Richlands' Paytlyn Barnett tags a King William runner before she gets to third base safe during the VHSL Class 2 State Semifinals.
Richlands' Haven Crabtree bunts the ball during the state semifinals against King William.
Richlands' Paytlyn Barnett swings for a hit during the VHSL Class 2 State Semifinals.
Richlands Alli Hale misses the throw as King William's Abby Wright slides into second base safe.
Richlands' Cami Spencer looks to throw to first base for an out against King William.
Richlands' Averi Fuller throws a pitch against King William on Friday afternoon.
SALEM, Va. – Richlands advanced to the VHSL Class 2 state softball tournament without a senior starter.
But Friday’s semifinal game turned into a learning lesson for the young Tornado.
Richlands committed four errors in a 5-0 loss to the King William Cavaliers on a 90-degree day at the Moyer Complex.
King William, which features seven seniors defeated Appomattox County by a 14-4 margin on Saturday to win the title.
“The experience level definitely makes a difference,” Richlands coach James Cochran said. “We knew King William was good and they played well.”
The Cavaliers (20-3) took advantage of three Richlands errors in the fourth inning to score two runs and build a 5-0 lead.
The Blues never recovered.
“That was the best team we’ve faced all year,” Cochran said. “They had a good pitcher, timely hitting and tremendous defense.
King William played flawless defense and collected seven hits against Richland ace Averi Fuller.
A junior right-hander, Fuller gradually adjusted her approach to deal with the balanced KW offense.
“I started working inside after the (King William) batters were looking for outside pitches,” Fuller said. “They have a lot of seniors and hit well.
“We return all our starters and I promise you that we will be back to this point next year. We know what it feels like and what to expect.”
Alli Hale, Cami Spencer, Averi Fuller and Justice Hill collected the only hits for Richlands (20-8) against powerful King William right-hander Jillian Smith.
“We made good contact on offense, but (King William) made all the plays in the infield and outfield,” Fuller said.
Senior Addie Kirby led KW with three hits, while freshman Zoey Robinson added two.
The Cavaliers have advanced to three straight Class 2 title games
What is the key?
“It’s our team chemistry and culture,” co-head coach Jim McGuckin said. “What you see on the field is just a by-product of all the things we do off the field.”
King William catcher Hollyn Krukoswki has signed to signed to play at Christopher Newport, while Smith is headed to Shepherd University and center fielder Olivia Unser has signed with Mary Washington. Smith was the Region 2A player of the year.
What sort of scouting report did KW have on Richlands?
“We didn’t know anything except that they won region,” KW co-head coach Elizabeth Welshonce said. “The Richlands pitcher got better throughout the game by adjusting speeds and moving the ball around.”
Cochran is looking for another breakthrough next season.
“We will have big expectations,” Cochran said. “This group always expects to win.”
King William 021 200 0-5 7 0
Richlands 000 000 0-0 4 4
Smith and Krukowski. Fuller and Hill. W-Smith. L-Fuller. HR-none.
agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544
