Payne pitches a no-hitter against Mathews
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| Maggie Hall scores the first run in the Lady Chargers’ 5-1 win over Mathews on Friday. (Photo by Tom Chillemi) |
The Middlesex High varsity softball team handed Mathews its first Tidewater District loss season, 5-1 on Friday at MHS.
It was the first regular season Tidewater District loss since at least 2008 for Mathews, which was undefeated in 2009 and went to the state quarterfinals.
Middlesex and Mathews have been the lead competitors for the Tidewater District and Region A titles for several years.
The Lady Chargers collected 9 hits against hard-throwing Mathews pitchers.
Megan Payne threw a no-hitter against the Lady Blue Devils, struck out 7, and allowed just 3 walks.
The Lady Chargers (4-1, 7-4) got out of a jam in the fourth inning with a pick-off play. With runners at first and second and 2 out, catcher Raquel Pierce fired to Chelsi Blake at first who tagged out the runner, who had taken too big a lead.
Lady Charger left fielder Joey Stinchcomb robbed Mathews of a long hit when she backhanded a sharply hit ball as she was running toward the fence.
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In the seventh inning, Payne walked one and struck out the next 3 batters to end the game.
At the plate, Pierce led the Lady Chargers with a 2-RBI double, triple, single and a run.
Also for Middlesex, Amanda Brown, Megan Payne and Chelsea Lewter each singled and scored. With a single apiece were Chelsi Blake and Olivia Wilder.
On Tuesday, the Lady Chargers ripped West Point 16-0 as Payne pitched a one-hitter and struck out 14.
The Lady Chargers are at King William on Tuesday, May 11, and host King and Queen on Thursday, May 13. Both games are at 5 p.m. They travel to Mathews on Friday, May 21, at 7 p.m. for their final regular season game of the season.
