catch against Hidden Valley.
PHOTO BY BILLY POWELL
The William Byrd softball team is undefeated heading into spring break. The girls won for the 10th time without a loss Tuesday as they shut out Alleghany, 3-0, in Vinton, and jayvees are also unbeaten.
“I have been a part of Byrd softball for 18 years and I can’t remember being undefeated at this point of the year,” said coach Greg Barton. “Both teams are playing well and having fun at the same time. We set goals before the season startED and being undefeated wasn’t one of them. Our goal was to get better each game and be a contender at playoff time.”
On Tuesday Mara Strum and Cassie Powell split time on the mound in Byrd’s win over Alleghany. Strum pitched the first three innings, striking out six and allowing just one hit, and Powell pitched the last four innings, allowing one hit and fanning four.
“I planned on using both pitchers and both pitched great,” said Barton. “It’s nice having Cassie, who is really pitching so good.”
Offensively, Alexis West went two-for-three with a triple and Hannah Sowers had an RBI to lead the Byrd offense.
On Monday at Hidden Valley Byrd took a 4-1 win over the Titans. The Terriers scored three runs in the first inning and that proved to be enough. Ryan Stanley, Sydney Burton and Strum all drove in first inning runs.
Again, Barton used both Strum and Powell on the mound. Strum got the win, giving up five hits and striking out five over three innings. Powell struck out six and only gave up one hit as she finished off the win.
The big hitters for Byrd were Megan Grant with a double and a triple, Sowers with two hits and Stanley with two hits and two RBIs. The Byrd defense, led by Burton’s two run saving catches, held the Titans in control all game.
Byrd also beat an old nemesis, Northside, on the road last week. Strum shut out the Vikings, 3-0, under less than desirable conditions. She allowed just three hits in a complete game effort.
“Any shutout of Northside on any field is big,” said Barton. “We played confident and ran the bases very aggressive and smart.”
West and Strum drove in runs in the third to get Byrd on the board. Stanley had an RBI double in the fourth.
The Terriers are now off for two weeks, returning April 25 at Rockbridge.
“This is great but it’s the second half of the season is what carries us into post season,” said Barton. “The first half sure wasn’t an easy ride, but the rest of the way will get tougher.”
