Gallery by Heather Belcher
Greenbrier East managed just two hits Tuesday night against longtime rival Beckley.
Turns out the Spartans only needed one.
With one out in the top of the sixth inning, Greenbrier East shortstop Brooke Davis, launched a solo blast off the scoreboard in left field for a 1-0 lead that would be the eventual game winner in the Class AAA Region 3, Section 2 championship in Beckley.
“It makes me feel good because it was the first home run that I have ever hit. It is definitely one to remember for sure,” Davis said, smiling. “We have been working on leaving the rise-balls alone and if they are curving outside to take them to right field. I was just trying to get a hit to get on base and it turned out I hit a home run.”
The 1-0 lead looked to be in serious jeopardy in the bottom of the sixth inning when Ava Mullins led off with a sharp single up the middle. Mullins then moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.
Kayla Bird followed with another hard single up the middle and Mullins was waved home for what looked to be the possible tying run.
However, center-fielder Aubrey Glover came up with the defensive play of the game for the Spartans.
“Defense this year, for a lot of games, has kind of saved us. Aubrey knew she had to come up firing with a runner on second and a ball hit to the outfield,” Greenbrier East head coach Aaron Ambler said. “She threw a strike and (catcher) Alexis McClary made a great catch and held on to it through contact.”
Bird moved to second base on the throw before she was lifted for a pinch-runner. The inning then completely broke down for Woodrow when a line-drive to second baseman Rylee Norman turned into a double play when the runner strayed too far off second.
A pair of strikeouts by East pitcher Josi Ervin and a fly ball to Glover in center sealed the shutout win for the Spartans.
“It was a good win. We wanted this one really bad, especially after they got us yesterday. We always love to beat Woodrow,” Ervin said. “They are a good hitting team and they hit the ball well. That throw from Aubrey definitely changed the momentum of the game knowing we were up and still in it. It was a great throw.”
The story all night for the Flying Eagles was missed opportunities.
Three times prior to the sixth inning, Woodrow Wilson had a runner at third base with two outs, but could not get the key hit to break the ice.
“The game obviously could have gone either way. You had two really comparable teams on the field there for three games,” Ambler said. “It just came down to a couple of plays here and there. We just happened to get those plays tonight.”
Pressed into duty for the sectional battles, Ervin was again masterful, scattering five hits on the night to beat Woodrow for the second time in a week.
“She did a great job for us these last three games hitting her spots,” Ambler said. “She is not the biggest kid in the world. For her to come out here the last two days and pitch in this heat like she did was great.”
The loss was a heartbreaker for Woodrow Wilson head coach Pam Davis who watched her team put together a great season.
“I am very impressed with this group and I hate it for my seniors especially,” Davis said. “It was a tough situation, but I am so proud of my girls. We have struggled some my seven years here, but this year was just different with the hitting. I hate that is over.”
Greenbrier East advances to the regional championship where it will play the winner of St. Albans and South Charleston in a best-of-three series next week.
