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Magnolia Makes Wheeling Central Pay for Errors in Softball Showdown in New Martinsville

Brill’s fourth-inning home run is turning point in 7-5 Eagles victory

Photo by Kyle Lutz Magnolia’s Paige Brill attempts a throw to first as Wheeling Central’s Peyton Knight runs to second during Wednesday’s game. The Blue Eagles defeated the Maroon Knights, 7-5.

NEW MARTINSVILLE — Every softball coach knows that errors are part of the game. When one team makes a handful of them, good teams will benefit.

That was the case Wednesday evening in New Martinsville.

Wheeling Central gave Magnolia extra chance opportunities as the Maroon Knights tallied five errors in two innings. Those two innings were the only time the Blue Eagles scored their runs as they defeated the Maroon Knights, 7-5.

Paige Brill also gave Magnolia a big lift as she belted a three-run homer in the fourth inning.

“We didn’t have the prettiest game either in terms of fielding,” Magnolia (6-1) coach Angela Johnson said. “But (Wheeling Central) are definitely a really good hitting team and its hard to make errors against them because they’re bats are strong. It was a good game. Ashley (Tharp) had a good game.”

Brill’s long bomb in the fourth inning came after a series of miscues made by Wheeling Central (6-2). With the score at 4-2 in favor of the Maroon Knights, Ashlyn Piekarski led the inning off by reaching base safely thanks to an infield error.

Lindsay Whiteman doubled, but a throwing error was able to plate a Blue Eagles run. Shyanna White followed by getting on base thanks to another Wheeling Central mistake. After getting the second out of the inning, Sydney Scott walked which put two runners on base.

Brill then came up to the plate and watched her hit go over the fence to put the score at 7-4.

“Paige’s hit definitely was the turning point,” Johnson said. I feel like it gave our girls more confidence in the box,”

Brill had two hits with two RBI. She also had a single in the sixth.

Ashley Kelly and Lindsay Whiteman both tallied a single and double for the Blue Eagles to round out the multiple hitters. Tharp fired six strikeouts compared to no walks.

Wheeling Central was able to get on the board first in the first inning. Sophomore Jairika Baylor continued her strong season as she belted a home run that went over the center field wall to plate the first run of the game.

“Five errors in two innings. We can’t do that. If we play a clean game of softball, we come out of here with a 5-2 win,” Wheeling Central coach Buck Davidson said. “The girls, they’re young. They just need to be in the pressure situation. All we’re going to do is get better. I’ve been reading the papers and Ashley has been tearing up every team she’s been pitching against. I believe we hit the ball extremely well. The girls are are taking it tough and all they’re going to do is practice and get ready for the next one.”

The Maroon Knights scored four runs in the first three innings as they also took advantage of some errors.

Jessica Miller led the second inning off and reached first safely on a infield error. She was then brought home by Maggie Fahey. One batter later, Peyton Knight got on base thanks to a throwing miscue and Fahey touched home to put the score at 3-2.

The Maroon Knights also scored in the third inning as Baylor scored on a wild pitch.

The Blue Eagles, though, scored twice in the bottom half of the first thanks to a pair of errors by Wheeling Central.

“It’s just part of playing ball,” Davidson said. “They’re young and I’m happy they’re only going to get better. They (Magnolia) didn’t get our best game (Tuesday). Hopefully we both make it to regionals and that’s when they get our best game.”

Ally Davidson supplied a single and double for the Maroon Knights.

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