GLENVILLE, W.Va. — Gilmer County sophomore pitcher Kenley Hartshorn returned to the lineup to lead the Titans through a second consecutive elimination game with a 7-0 win over Man in the Class A Region IV Tournament. A decisive game on Tuesday will send the winner to the state tournament, earning the last of the eight spots in the field.
Hartshorn scattered seven hits while striking out nine batters and walking just one in a complete game victory. She also had two hits and drove in a pair of runs. Hartshorn was injured in Thursday’s 8-0 loss to Man in the winners bracket final and she did not play in Saturday’s 13-7 win over Tolsia.
“We rested her Friday in practice. She didn’t play Saturday. She was ready to go today,” said Gilmer County head coach Wendell Tomblin.
Thursday’s loss to Man was Gilmer’s (29-1) lone loss of the season. The Titans also trailed Tolsia by six runs early in Saturday’s must-win game before rallying past the Rebels.
“Thursday was a wake-up call. It woke them up. We told them that we had to come and hit the ball. We didn’t hit the ball at all Thursday. Saturday, we came out and started slow but we come up slugging. We continued it today.”
Gilmer scored three runs in the second inning before adding insurance runs in the third and fifth innings and two more in the sixth. The Titans manufactured runs — two via sacrifice flies, and two more on groundouts. They collected 11 hits in their six innings at the plate.
“If you put it in play, they’ve got to make plays. That’s what happened.”
Kaelyn Mullins and Hayley Sprouse each had three hits to lead GCHS at the plate. Emeri Hickman also had a multi-hit game.
Tuesday’s winner-take-all contest will begin at 6 p.m. at the Sue Morris Sports Complex.
“We’ve got to come ready to go because they are going to come ready to go. That’s a good team. We can’t come just thinking you are going to win. You’ve got to come and make yourself win.”
Mia Johnson went the distance in the circle for Man (11-8). She struck out four batters. Gracie Wheatley went 3-for-3 for Man while Johnson added two hits.