St. Marys takes down Ritchie in LKC showdown

St. Marys’ Zoey Winland reaches third safely before Ritchie County’s Blake Butta can apply the tag during the Blue Devils’ 10-1 win in six innings on Tuesday.
(Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

ELLENBORO — St. Marys’ Kyleigh Rupert scattered six hits in a six-inning complete game here Tuesday evening as the Blue Devils capped a perfect Little Kanawha Conference regular season following a 10-1 mercy rule win at Ritchie County.

The 21-1 Blue Devils, who finished 14-0 in the LKC West, took the lead for good via a three-run top of the first off losing pitcher Rocklyn Marcum.

SMHS, which received two hits and three runs-batted-in apiece from Zoey Winland and Layne Kincaid, pushed across four runs in the third and three more in the sixth.

“We had kind of a dead spot for a couple weeks and got a little complacent,” admitted Blue Devil boss Lacy Riggs, whose team lost its first game last week at Logan, 4-2. “Our bats have been on fire since then.

“We’ve had a great season and I’m proud of the kids. I feel like now we’re in a good spot in the season to be in that place where we have a fire under us, and bringing some more energy.”

Ritchie County’s Ava Satterfield is forced out at second by St. Marys shortstop Breanna Price, who helped turn a 4-6-3 double play in the second inning of the Blue Devils’ 10-1 win in six innings on Tuesday in Ellenboro.
(Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Marcum issued consecutive one-out base on balls to Winland and Cali Masters in the top of the first and it was quickly 2-0 following Kincaid’s two-run double down the line in left. Ava Childers, who also had two hits and a pair of RBIs, followed with a two-out run-scoring knock to left.

Lone senior Jayci Gray was the only Rebel to collect more than one hit. The catcher had a two-double in the first, but was left stranded.

Leadoff hitter Breanna Price got the Blue Devils going in the third with a single back up the box. That was followed by a single from Winland. Kincaid had an RBI hit and after Ava Giovinazzo reached on an error that allowed Winland to score for a 5-0 cushion, Kincaid made it 6-0 when SMHS executed a double steal and Giovinazzo reached second. Childers then produced an RBI double to left for the 7-0 advantage.

Ritchie County center fielder Ava Satterfield singled to open the last of the second, but she was quickly erased when Baylee Butta hit into a 4-6-3 double play turned by Kincaid, Price and Masters.

Following Childers’ two-bagger in the third, Marcum retired six straight before allowing a stand-up triple to right by Masters to lead off the fifth. However, the Rebel right-hander was able to retire Kincaid, Giovinazzo and Childers to get out of it.

St. Marys’ Kyleigh Rupert, pictured her fielding her position and making a throw to first, tossed a six-inning complete game and didn’t allow an earned run in the Blue Devils’ 10-1 win on Tuesday at Ritchie County.
(Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Ritchie County, which dropped to 14-8 and has a 4 p.m. twinbill today at Williamstown, got its lone tally in the fifth. Kila Frymier’s two-out single was followed by a sharp single to left by Rindy Perkins. A two-base error on the play allowed Frymier to score.

“Well, we hit the ball right at them and they are good fielders,” admitted Rebel veteran boss Dave Mossor, whose squad went down on strikes one time.

Blue Devil backstop Brylee McGrady, who threw out two runners trying to steal, started the sixth by drawing a base on balls. Pinch-hitter Anna Bennett and No. 9 hitter Ella Bullman proceeded to load the bases following consecutive bunt singles. Winland unloaded the bags with a three-run triple to right-center.

“I’m happy with where we are,” added coach Riggs, whose team will play at 5 p.m. Friday in the LKC semifinals against Doddridge County at the Sue Morris Sports Complex.

“Kyleigh threw awesome. Very few balls. Very few hits. She threw great and the defense was stout and solid behind her. Not much more I can ask from any of them.”

St. Marys’ Layne Kincaid, who went 2 for 4 with three runs-batted-in, strokes a run-scoring single to center in the third inning of the Blue Devils’ 10-1 win in six innings on Tuesday against host Ritchie County.
(Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com