Class A: Bennington, Wheeling Central in control after initial delays

VIENNA, W.Va. — Looking for its third straight Class A softball state championship, Wheeling Central won two games to guarantee themselves a spot in Thursday’s title game.

Fayetteville was eliminated Wednesday after back-to-back losses, while Moorefield and Sherman both stayed alive with 1-1 showings.

Games were scattered and delayed in all three classes as crews worked to make the three fields playable.

Notes are below from Wednesday’s Class A action:

Game 1: Wheeling Central 5, Moorefield 3 (9 innings)

• Wheeling Central’s Riley Bennington finished with 23 strikeouts in the complete game, nine-inning win for the Maroon Knights. Bennington also hit the game-winning two-run home run for Wheeling Central in the 9th inning

Game 2: Sherman 3, Fayetteville 0

• Katlyn Jenkins finished with two RBIs in the opening win for Sherman, while Sydnee Ferrell went 1 for 3 with a double and an RBI as well.

Game 3: Moorefield 15, Fayetteville 4 — Fayetteville eliminated

• An eight-run second inning and five-run third inning lifted the Yellow Jackets over Fayetteville in an elimination game. Moorefield stays alive to for another elimination game Thursday against Sherman.

Game 4: Wheeling Central 8, Sherman 2

• After its tight affair with Moorefield earlier in the day, Wheeling Central’s Marissa Garlitz shut down Sherman in a winners bracket contest, finishing the day with 12 strikeouts in the win.

CLASS A (All games on Field 2)

Game 1: Wheeling Central 5, Moorefield 3 (9 innings)

Game 2: Sherman 3, Fayetteville 0

Game 3: Moorefield 15, Fayetteville 4 — Fayetteville eliminated

Game 4: Wheeling Central 8, Sherman 2

Thursday (May 24)

Game 5: 10 a.m. – Moorefield (23-9) vs. Sherman (19-8)

Game 6: 2:30 p.m. – Wheeling Central (20-5) vs. Winner of Game 5

Game 7 (if necessary): 30 minutes after Game 6