Kendall Parker, left, Grace Campbell and Taelor Fulmore. | Photos/Ross Burton
BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood softball used a 4-run fifth inning surge to overcome a stubborn Spring Valley squad in the final game of the Region 4-5A season Monday.
On a night when seniors Kendall Parker, Grace Campbell, and Taelor Fulmore were honored before the game, Parker took command on the pitcher’s mound and Campbell led the way at the plate in a 7-4 victory over the Vikings.
“We left 12 runners on base and we’re not happy with that,” Blythewood head coach Jordan Atkinson said. “But when we needed big hits, we got big hits, and we played good defense overall.”
Grace Campbell (5) went 2-3 in her senior night performance.
Blythewood (10-8-1, 5-3) finishes second in the region and plays host to Nation Ford in the first round of the District IV Tournament Thursday.
The Bengals took a 2-run lead in the first inning, but Spring Valley picked up two runs in the top of the third to even the score. Blythewood took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third, but again, the Vikings evened the score with a run in the top of the fourth.
Blythewood finally got an opportunity to put some distance on Spring Valley in the fifth. Parker held the Vikings scoreless in the top of the frame, and the Bengals sent nine batters up to put the game out of reach.
With one out, Haley McCoy drew a walk, Lauren Hardy singled, and Anna Fridriksson walked to load the bases.
Spring Valley pitcher Lyrical Bennett, who had come on in relief of starter Kiarra Thomas in the first inning, walked Ellen Rogers, which scored McCoy to make it 4-3.
With Hardy, Fridriksson, and Rogers aboard, Campbell slapped a 2-run ground single to right field to make it 6-3.
Savannah Coyne’s single drove in Rogers for the fourth run of the inning.
The Vikings responded with a run in the top of the sixth to cut into the 7-4 lead.
Parker was able to get three quick outs in the top of the seventh to seal the victory and move the Bengals into the postseason.
“It’s 0-0 now. Everybody has a new season,” Atkinson said. “We’re ready to play. It’ll go down to who wants it most.”
Blythewood 7, Spring Valley 4
SVHS – 0-0-2-0-1-1-0 – 1, 3, 2
BHS – 2-0-0-1-4-0-X – 11, 9, 1
WP: Kendall Parker LP: Kiarra Thomas.
Hitters: Blythewood – Grace Campbell 2-3. Savannah Coyne 2-3. Lauren Hardy 2-3.