— Story by Luke Wiggs
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — In the fifth meeting of the season for Jefferson County’s premier softball programs, seven innings were not enough to pick a winner as Washington walked off Jefferson 4-3 in 9 innings.
CARLY CROWDER WALKS IT OFF TO WIN THE SECTIONAL FOR WASHINGTON!! #wvprepsb@MetroNewsPrep pic.twitter.com/1ZAiQAIXkN
— Luke Wiggs (@LukeWiggs4) May 8, 2024
“I am beyond thrilled, beyond proud, and beyond excited for these girls.” Washington head coach Amanda Orkoskey said. “They really earned it and battled to the end.”
Things almost started unceremoniously for Jefferson. After Washington starter Chloe Constantino retired the first two batters in the top of the first, Becca Munslow thought she was the third, trotting back to the dugout after a swing and miss. Munslow was then reminded by the home plate umpire that she had only offered at the second strike of the at bat.
After reapplying the batting gloves, Munslow ripped a double into right field that kick started a Jefferson two-out rally. Kalee Dalton singled, putting runners at the corners who were both driven in by a Brooke Allen double. Allen was then plated by a Grace Dodson single. Jefferson led 3-0 after the middle of the first inning.
Washington scored for the first time with some small ball in the bottom of the second. Morgan Cave walked to begin the frame and advanced to second on a groundout to the pitcher. Chloe Crowder then beat out an infield single with two outs allowing Cave to score from second base.
Washington produced again in the bottom of the third. Gabby Bibb led off the inning with a single and Carly Constantino was struck by a pitch. Both came around to score on three consecutive passed balls, tying the game at 3.
Both pitchers settled in at this point with Constantino dealing eight straight scoreless frames to end the game, retiring the last seven batters she faced, and striking out 12 on 143 pitches. Despite the loss, Munslow worked just over eight frames allowing four runs and striking out four.
“Once we got past that first inning I really had faith in her.” Orkoskey said about her starter. “She’s a work horse, a beast out there fighting through nine innings.”
In the bottom of the ninth, Cave reached via a lead off walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. On a grounder back to the pitcher, Munslow threw to third in an attempt to retire the lead runner, but the ball was dislodged from the third baseman’s glove and allowed Cave to reach. Carly Crowder then singled just inside the left field line to give Washington the victory and sectional title. The Patriots advance to take on Musselman in a regional championship series next week.
“Musselman has a great program, proud of them for coming out of that section.” Orkoskey said. “Some celebrating tonight but its time to keep rolling and get that regional title back.”