CHARLOTTESVILLE — Walks and errors were the difference in Tuesday’s Class 2A Softball Regional at Eastern Hancock High School.
The host Royals had too many of both and lost to Union County, 7-3. The Patriots (22-3) are now just one of eight teams remaining in Class 2A. They will move on to Saturday’s Forest Park Semistate to play Paoli, a 3-0 winner over Switzerland County.
Eastern Hancock pitching walked eight Union County hitters. The Royals defense added four more errors.
“We knew Union County could really hit the ball. There’s no doubt about that,” Eastern Hancock coach Terry Stephens said. “The one thing we talked about was limiting our walks and errors, and we did just the opposite.”
Union County scored two first-inning runs without a hit. It reached base three times on walks and took advantage of two Eastern Hancock miscues. Another run scored off an error in the fourth inning.
Four of the Patriots seven runs were scored by players that got on either by walk or error.
“Our errors and walks got us,” senior second baseman Megan Bever said. “We knew we had to play a clean game, but we didn’t come out as strong as we have been.”
The Royals trailed 4-0 before getting on the board in the third inning.
Freshman left fielder Sydni Bednarski got things started with a single up the middle. Bever followed with a bunt single and freshman center fielder Caroline Stapleon hit a one-out double over the left fielder’s head. Bednarski scored and Bever moved to third, but a pair of pop ups ended the rally.
The Patriots mixed three hits with two walks in the fourth to stretch their advantage to 7-1 before the Royals made another run in the fifth.
Bever singled and Stapleton reached on a fielder’s choice. With two outs, freshman Taylor Koch hit a bloop double to center field. Both Bever and Stapleton scored to cut it to 7-3.
Unfortunately for the Royals, they would get just one more hit — a one-out single in the seventh by freshman Kaylee Stewart — after the Koch two-bagger.
“They never gave up. They never came close to giving up,” coach Stephens said of his team.
Union County pitcher Fayth Hill did not walk anyone (she did hit one batter) and her defense did not commit an error. She struck out nine and helped her cause with a two-run single in the fourth.
“Once we got on the board, we were determined to get more,” Bever said. “I think if we would have had a couple of more innings, we would have come back. We needed to get it started earlier and it just didn’t happen.”
The Royals were out-hit 10-8. Stapleton and Bever each had two hits. Stapleton added a stolen base.
Eastern Hancock wrapped up its 2019 campaign achieving its two initial goals, Mid-Eastern Conference and Sectional 42 championships. The Royals final record is 18-7-1.
“I think we accomplished a lot,” Bever said.
Bever, Stapleton — who set the school single-season record with 11 triples — senior catcher Eriel Truitt, junior outfielder Bailey Stephens and sophomore pitcher Maddie Turner were named all-conference.
“This senior class (which includes Elise Bittinger and Maddie Clutinger along with Bever and Truitt) left a lot behind,” coach Stephens added. “It wasn’t just showing the other girls how to play softball, but showing how to play with heart and passion.
“It’s a great group of girls. This is one of the best teams I’ve seen when it comes to togetherness. They get along and are always hanging out together. It makes it nice through the season, but it makes it tough when it ends.”
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Union County 7, Eastern Hancock 3
UC (22-3);220;300;0;—;7;10;0
EH (18-7-1);001;020;0;—;3;8;4
WP: Fayth Hill. LP: Maddie Turner.
2B: Caroline Stapleton, Taylor Koch (EH) RBI: Fayth Hill 2, Sophia Knock, Tara Williams (UC). Taylor Koch 2, Caroline Stapleton (EH).
Notables: Fayth Hill WP, 9 K, 2-for-4, 2 RBI (UC). Caroline Stapleton 2-for-4 R, 2B, SB, RBI; Megan Bever 2-for-4, R, Taylor Koch 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI.
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