The William Byrd softball team is on a roll as the team takes a few days off for spring break. The Terriers are 7-0 through last week’s games.
Byrd played three games in two days before heading into the break and won all three, sweeping a doubleheader from Pulaski County before winning at Franklin County on Friday. The Pulaski games were in Vinton last Thursday and the Terriers won 8-2 and 11-0.
In the opener, Jada Karnes got the start on the mound and picked up the win, fanning seven. She gave up three walks and five hits but got plenty of support from the Byrd offense as the Terriers plated four runs in the first inning, and that proved to be enough. Karnes had two runs batted in herself and Megan Grant and Lexi Powell had two hits each.
Mara Strum pitched the second game and dominated the Cougars, pitching a five inning one hitter. Mara struck out 14 of a possible 15 outs and only threw nine balls in five innings.
“When that Mara shows up it’s not good for our opponents,” said Terrier coach Greg Barton.
Byrd’s offense pounded out 15 hits against two Pulaski pitchers, including two each by Grant, Sydney Burton and Hannah Sowers. In all, 12 different Terriers had hits in the game.
On Friday the girls traveled to Franklin County for a non-district game and Strum pitched her second shutout in 28 hours as the Terriers took a 12-0 win. The game was called in the fifth inning due to the 10 run mercy rule.
Strum threw another great game, only giving up 1 hit in the fifth. “She had a perfect game going into the fifth before a bloop single caused a collision between two Byrd fielders.
“We are playing offense and defense very aggressive right now,” said Barton. “This team wants to win.”
Burton, Katie Fuchs, and Grant led the Terriers in hitting as Byrd had nine hits by eight different hitters.
“I sure don’t want to jinx anything , but this team is fun to coach and to watch,” said Barton. “We have some tough games ahead but they don’t look past anyone. They plan on winning.”
On Saturday Franklin County will return the trip with a jayvee game at 5 pm and the varsity to follow. Then the Blue Ridge District season begins next week and the opener sets up a potential game between undefeated teams as the Terriers host Lord Botetourt. The Cavaliers were undefeated heading into a game this Saturday in Daleville against Liberty.
