VIENNA, W.Va. — Herbert Hoover was only looking for some insurance when a 13-run fourth inning erupted Wednesday at the Class AA state tournament.
The outpouring carried the Huskies past Oak Glen 16-1 and guaranteed a spot in Thursday’s championship game.
“When you’re hitting the ball hard, any little mistake or a walk can give your team a spark,” said Herbert Hoover coach Missy Smith, whose team improved to 26-5. “It’s like the perfect storm and we were fortunate to have a big inning.”
So big, in fact, that 10 batters reached before Oak Glenn (23-9) recorded the inning’s first out. Amid a barrage of 12 hits, a 3-1 game swelled into a runaway. Kelsey Naylor, Dellani Fix and Taylor Carpenter all had two RBIs in the inning.
Mallori Chapman went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and leadoff hitter Rebeckah Woody finished 3-for-4 as Hoover moved into position to win its first title since 2014.
While Fix (12-1) held Oak Glenn to five hits over five innings, freshman pitcher Delani Buckner had already delivered Wednesday’s gem — a 2-0 win against defending champion Chapmanville.
Buckner fanned 13 and allowed only two hits, dealing the Tigers their first shutout of the season.
“Delani threw a dandy and we’re glad to have her,” Smith said. “She’s been solid for us all year, and hopefully we can get one more out of her.”
Buckner may have to beat Chapmanville (24-4) again. Coach Ronnie Ooten’s team downed Wyoming East 6-3 in an elimination game and will face Oak Glen on Thursday morning. The survivor must beat Hoover twice in the finals.
Then again, Chapmanville pulled off a three-win Thursday in last year’s tournament.
“We got there last year and did it, so I hope we can do it again this year,” Ooten said. “Hopefully we’ve got it back together now.”
Class AA state softball
Wednesday results
Oak Glen def. Wyoming East 3-2
Hoover def. Chapmanville 2-0
Chapmanville def. Wyoming East 6-3 (Wyoming East eliminated)
Hoover def. Oak Glen 16-1
Thursday schedule
Chapmanville (24-2) vs. Oak Glen (23-9), 9:45 a.m.
Hoover (26-5) vs. TBD, 2:15 p.m