PREP SOFTBALL: Western rolls past St. Anne’s

After Tuesday’s lopsided loss to Fluvanna County, the Western Albemarle softball team needed a lift.
“Our girls were down after the Fluvanna game,” said Warriors coach Fred Weinberg. “We needed a win, no doubt about it.”
The Warriors got that much-needed spring in their step on Saturday as they beat St. Anne’s-Belfield, 11-1.
“I really happy with they way the girls have hung in there,” Weinberg said. “They’re playing as a team and having a good time. You could see it out the field just the way they were talking with each other.”
The Warriors jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning on a two-run double by Lindsey Gibson.
With two out in the fourth, Kelly Miller’s two-run single put the Warriors up comfortably, 7-0.
Western got four shutout innings from Kelsey Boggs, who gave up just two hits and struck out four batters.
“I think this is the best we’ve played as a team,” Miller said. “Our hitting, pitching, the defense, it was the most confident we’ve been.”
The STAB offense didn’t come to life until the ninth inning, when the Saints put runners on second and third.
Eager to score, St. Anne’s coach Bill Biggs signaled for Laura Pendleton to lay down the suicide squeeze.
“We’ve been preaching to the girls about the squeeze,” Biggs said. “You’ve got to score somehow.”
Pendleton laid down a perfect bunt and not only drove in the run, but reached base safely as well to end Western’s shutout bid.
“It’s tough going against these public schools,” Biggs said. “But that’s the only way to get better. If you play good teams you’ll improve.”