Lady Dragons lose tough battle with Louisa

by Jeremy Knight Special Correspondent
Published: May 1, 2008

On Wednesday, April 23, the William Monroe Dragons varsity softball team hosted the Louisa Lions. This was the first match-up between the teams this season.
Monroe came into this game looking to gain a little momentum, as they head into the bulk of their district games.
The first inning started off good for Louisa as they quickly grabbed an early lead. The Lady Lions hit a double and two singles that led them to an early run.
Monroe would put up a small threat in the bottom of the first as Brittnee Conley led off the inning with a single. But that would be as far as she got because the next three batters all struck out to end the first.

Both teams would get several baserunners on in the second inning. Two walks by both pitchers had runners in scoring position. But neither would be able to push across any runs. The score remained 1-0, Louisa.
After getting a three-up-three-down Louisa half of the third inning, the Dragons would finally push across their first run of the game in the bottom of the third.
Conley drew a lead off walk and would later score on a one-out-double-to-left by Melanie Lamb. This tied the game at 1-1.
In the fourth inning, the Dragons held Louisa once again to no baserunners. However, Monroe would threaten again as they had two runners on, but they could not get the big hit needed to bring them home.
The fifth inning would be a very busy one for the Lady Lions. Louisa would rally to get three runs and regain the lead. Up until the fifth inning, Dragon’s pitcher Brittany Shifflett had surrendered only three hits that were all in the first inning.
Louisa scored their first run of the inning on a sacrifice bunt that gave them the lead. They would then add to their lead as they pushed across another run on a fielder’s choice to shortstop. The third and final run of the inning came on a two-out error by Monroe’s left fielder.
Once again, in the sixth inning, Louisa would get several baserunners. A lead-off single and a throwing error had two runners on. But they were unable to score any runs, thanks to Shifflett getting the next two batters out.
Monroe would also threaten in the bottom of the sixth after a single and throwing error put two runners on with no outs. However, just as before, they were unable to get a big hit that would score any runs.
With what seemed like a continuing theme, Louisa got two more hits in the top of the seventh to get baserunners in scoring position with just one out. But once again, they were left stranded as the next two batters got out.
In Monroe’s half of the seventh they were unable to get anything going as a ground out and two fly outs ended the game. Monroe came up short and fell to Louisa 4-1.
Leading Monroe in this one was Melanie Lamb, as she had a double and the only rbi of the game. Conley, Jessica Morris, Samantha Lawson and Lauren Thompson all added a hit of their own.
After the game coach Salita Sullivan said,” This was a tough district loss for us. We got no clutch hits when we needed them. Routine plays were not made, and we cannot make errors when we only score one run.”
The team gained a win against the Orange Hornets on April 24, 4-3. Monroe played against Charlottesville on Friday, April 25, where they shut out the Black Knights 16-0.
At press time on Tuesday April 29, the Lady Dragons were preparing to play against Western Albemarle