The Appomattox Raiders softball team advances to the VHSL Class 2 State Semifinal round after defeating the John Battle Trojans today 5-0 in the quarterfinal round at Appomattox County High School.

Aubrey Fulcher of Appomattox provided what proved to be the game-winning run in the bottom of the second inning when she launched a deep fly ball to the left field corner that cleared the fence for a solo home run and 1-0 lead.

The Raiders added two runs in the bottom of the third inning when Paisley Mann scored from third base due to a Trojan infield error on a ground ball by Myah Kelso. With bases loaded, Kaeleigh Maner hit a sacrifice fly to right field that brought Makenzie Elliott home from third.

In the bottom of the fifth, Appomattox padded their lead when pinch runner Kaysen Kesler, substituting for Mann who singled, beat a throw to home plate on a single to left field by Myah Kelso. Carly Wilkerson, pinch running for Kelso, put the Raiders ahead 5-0 by scoring from third on a fielder's choice ground ball to second base by Maner.

Appomattox pitchers Bree Carrico, Paisley Mann and Chloe Vaughan combined for the shutout, the Raiders' 11th in their last 12 games.

The Trojans created several scoring opportunities but were unable to push any runs through and stranded nine base runners. Brindy Hayes tripled to lead off the top of third inning but Carrico retired the next three batters to escape the scoring threat.

Raider catcher Bailey Hamilton commented on what it's like to work with three high-caliber pitchers on the same staff.

"Each pitcher pitches very differently, so to be able to transition from pitcher to pitcher, they all throw differently, so you just gotta work hard," she said.

Hamilton also said she doesn't feel any additional pressure working with the three top-notch hurlers.

"I trust them and I know they're good," she said.

Appomattox seniors Kelso and Fulcher need only two more wins to claim the Class 2 crown, which would be the Raiders' third in four seasons and a fine way to cap off their careers.

"It means a lot," said Kelso. "You know we've worked hard, and just to know that it's our last year playing with this team, it's gonna be really memorable if we wins states."

"We've just gotta roll through it," added Fulcher.

John Battle ends the 2024 season at 13-6-1.

Appomattox (22-2) will play in the semifinal round Friday at 10 a.m., according to MaxPreps, at the Botetourt Sports Complex in Troutville. The opponent has not yet been listed.

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