Hornets fall in semifinals

In Radford, Jen Soroka’s two-out single provided the winning run as Broad Run defeated Orange County 2-0 in the Group AA softball semifinals on Saturday at Radford University’s Veterans Field.

The Spartans (21-3), the two-time defending state champions, face Tunstall in today’s championship. Broad Run also defeated Orange in the Region II final.

Orange sophomore pitcher Micalah Sacre retired the first two batters in the sixth before Haley Johnson lined a single off her leg. Judy Betz followed with a walk and both runners moved up on a passed ball.

Soroka followed with a bloop single over third base, scoring Johnson with the winning run. Broad Run would add an insurance run on a throwing error.

Betz struck out 13 on the mound and allowed just two hits, while Sacre fanned nine and allowed three hits.

The best scoring chance for Orange (21-5) came in the third inning when Sacre doubled and stole third with two outs. However, Betz recorded a strikeout to end the threat.