By Sports editor Brian Hoffman
The William Byrd softball team lost for just the second time this season on Tuesday night when visiting Franklin County edged the Terriers, 8-7.
Byrd played from behind for most of the game as the Eagles scored five runs in the third inning. Byrd rallied back on a double by Sydney Blewett in the bottom of the third, followed by an unearned run in the fourth and a run scoring single by Logan Pekala in that inning.
Brooklyn Peters hit a home run in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 6-6, and Pekala’s double in the sixth gave Byrd the lead heading into the last inning only to have the Eagles rally for the win.
Chloe Varney was the tough luck losing pitcher for Byrd after relieving starter Hallie Cox, who surrendered six runs on just two hits over the first three innings. She struck out six before Varney came on to pitch the final four frames, allowing three hits and two runs while fanning a pair and walking none.
Byrd had 10 hits, including multiple hits by Pekala, Blewett and Peters.
The loss followed a 6-5 win for the Terriers against Staunton River in Moneta last Friday night. The game was tied at 1-1 after four when Pekala hit an RBI triple to give Byrd the lead in the top of the fifth, and the Terriers prevailed down the stretch. Logan finished with three hits in the game while Peters, Erin Courtemanche, Haleigh Vaughan, Maddy Tuck and Rachel Cruff all had hits for Byrd.
Cox picked up the win on the mound for the Terriers, going six innings and striking out six. Varney came on for the save, pitching a scoreless bottom of the seventh.
The Terriers are now 6-2 overall and 4-2 in Blue Ridge District play with a trip to Lord Botetourt scheduled for Friday night.
