(Photo gallery by Teran Malone)
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A stretch of four batters during the third inning and a dominant pitching performance from junior Madison Wisman were the two ingredients needed for Morgantown to claim the Class AAAA Region I, Section 1 championship. The Mohigans closed out their section with a 2-0 win over John Marshall at Mylan Park.
Wisman tossed a two-hitter and she struck out nine batters while walking three. She faced just four batters over the minimum.
“She was struggling maybe hitting some spots but she is such a player and she is so determined that she plays through those things,” said Morgantown head coach Lorri Lipscomb. “Make a mistake and she comes right back. I think that is her big thing, she is mentally tough in the circle.”
With the game scoreless in the bottom of the third, the Mohigans (21-8) had four consecutive effective at bats to produce the game’s only two runs. Carper Messerly led off the inning with an infield single and she advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Madi Stone. Leadoff batter Anne Robinson hit a triple off the fence in centerfield, allowing Messerly to score from second. Two pitches later, Grace Robinson’s squeeze bunt sent Anne Robinson home to cap the two-run frame.
“I knew once we started getting people on that those hits would be contagious to start moving around. That’s why I always tell them, ‘Get them on, get them over and let’s get them in’.”
After a 2-5 start to the season, No.4 Morgantown has won 19 of their last 22 games.
“Team chemistry is a big and important thing. These girls have each others’ back.”
The Mohigans will face crosstown rival No. 6 University (20-4-1) in the Region I best-of-three series, starting on May 18. The winner advances to the Class AAAA state tournament. UHS defeated MHS in the regional round last year, en route to winning the Class AAA state title. University closed out the Section 2 tournament with a 17-0 win over Buckhannon-Upshur.
“I always say that this is a redemption season for us. We have unfinished business. We’re going to get the opportunity to come back and hopefully have a different outcome.”
Lily Dijkstra went the distance in the circle for John Marshall (14-13). She allowed four hits. Tori Finley and Carlie Keyser had base hits for the Monarchs.