James Wood edges Clarke County is softball duel

BERRYVILLE — In a game like this, it is the little things that count.

That was the case Tuesday at wind-blown Charles O. Grubbs softball field, as seemingly evenly matched James Wood and host Clarke County played a nearly spotless opening day conquest.

In the end, James Wood edged Clarke County 2-0 in a non-district clash that was a pitchers’ duel between Colonels’ starter Lani Spielman and reliever Ivy Rosenberry against the Eagles’ Megan Hicks.

Though Clarke County plays in Class 2 and James Wood performs at Class 4, these two squads always seem to battle.

Last year, the Colonels, on their way to a Class 4A West regional berth, split with the Eagles, who earned a Class 2A East Region date.

“It’s always a well-played game, between two good teams who are well-coached,” said James Wood coach Todd Baker.

“One hit, that was the difference today, but sometimes that’s the way it goes,” added Clarke County’s Susan Grubbs.

Indeed, it was a double by Rebecca Boone that drove in the winning runs in the top half of the sixth, but it was a couple of blemishes on Clarke County’s card that proved the difference.

The veteran hurlers seemed in midseason form.

Spielman allowed just one hit and struck out five Eagles in five innings. Rosenberry, a transfer from Millbrook, allowed a hit and struck out five in two innings. Hicks was just as strong allowing three hits and striking out 11 Colonels. She struck out six straight hitters at one point.

But the Eagles committed two errors, walked four and left six on base.

In the top of the sixth, Hicks put two batters on with one out. Leadoff hitter Emma Van Horn and Rosenberry walked. Hicks bore down and got the second out, but Boone boomed a line-drive double in center field, plating both Van Horn and Rosenberry.

“I think we made some adjustments in that inning and asked our girls to be more deliberate at the plate,” Baker said. “We had been chasing some of (Hicks’) pitches and we just needed to settle down.”

Indeed, Van Horn and Rosenberry protected the plate, forcing Hicks into multiple pitches.

“She might have gotten a little tired,” Grubbs said of Hicks. “They did seem to be waiting us out.”

Ahead by two in the bottom of the sixth, it was James Wood’s turn to defend.

Rosenberry earned an out, but then Hicks got aboard via an error and Jade Feltner’s infield hit moved Hicks to second.

Spielman responded with a strikeout and getting a groundout to end the inning. She retired the side in the bottom of the seventh.

All three of the Colonels’ hits went for extra bases as Lindsey Anderson and Camrynn Rizzari also doubled.

“It was a well-played game,” Baker said. “Both pitchers threw well for this early in the season. Usually it takes a while for the hitters to catch up.” The Colonels were playing without reigning Winchester Star Player of the Year Lauren King. The senior, headed to Quinnipiac University, suffered “a little” offseason knee injury. Baker said the Colonels hope for King’s return in early April.

James Wood visits Kettle Run today and opens its home season Saturday against Spring Mills (W.Va.).