YOUTH SOFTBALL: Buchanan County Bests Luray

Buchanan County's Felicia Payne rounds second during her inside-the-park home run in the third inning on Friday. Luray second baseman Sarah Reed looks on.

By: Tim Hayes | Bristol Herald Courier
Published: July 19, 2008

BY TIM HAYES
Bristol Herald Courier
BRISTOL, Va. — Misty Kelly and most of her Buchanan County teammates are making their second straight appearance in the state tournament.

It’s turning out noticeably different this time.

Kelly struck out eight and came within a strike of a shutout as Buchanan County bested Luray, 14-1, in the opening round of the Virginia 10-11 year-old state softball tournament on Friday afternoon at Highland View Field.

Buchanan County will play Mechanicsville at 11:30 a.m. today in a winner’s bracket game.

Last summer, Buchanan County’s girls qualified for the state tourney as well, but lost both of its games and was among the first teams eliminated.

Behind the pitching of Kelly, Buchanan County quickly ended any chance of a repeat this year and the game was ended after four innings due to the mercy rule.

“It feels good,” Kelly said. “We haven’t won a game in state before … It was very hot today.”

The heat didn’t hamper Kelly. She allowed just two hits and overcame five walks. She continually shut down the Luray lineup, especially with runners in scoring position.

Meanwhile, Buchanan County’s batters took advantage of nine walks, five hit batters and four Luray errors.

Leadoff hitter Shelby Yates had two hits, two runs and two RBIs in the win.

“She got on base and drove in a few runs and we needed that,” Buchanan County manager Russell Kelly said. “She had some big hits.”

Felicia Payne hit an inside-the-park home run for Buchanan County and finished with two hits, while Kelly (three runs), Morgan Hall (two runs) and Marley Solis (two runs) also had productive days.
Buchanan County blew the game open with a 10-run third inning.

“The hitters hit good and we made some good defensive plays,” Russell Kelly said. “We just played good as a team and played well … This is the first game they’ve won [in the state tournament] and
they are pretty much tickled to death and looking to move a little further.”

Katelyn Keyser accounted for both of Luray’s hits, while Rachel Lucks scored the lone run with two outs in the top of the fourth inning.

District 1 champion Washington County received a first-round bye on Friday and will play Great Falls at 2 p.m. today in the winner’s bracket.