In a game that easily could’ve been a state or region final and featured a pair of unbeaten squads, Goochland’s softball team lost to Page County 6-4 in the Region 2A East semifinal on Friday afternoon.
Goochland struck first in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI double by starting pitcher Jackie Tremain off her counterpart, Page starter Kare Breeden. The lead didn’t last long as Tremain was touched for 4 runs, 2 unearned, in the top of the second inning as Panthers took a 4-1 lead thanks to a 2 RBI triple to right center field by shortstop and leadoff hitter Kate Gordon. Goochland sophomore Kailyn Spencer took over in relief of Tremain to get the last out of the inning.
The Bulldogs came within one run with a 2-out rally in the bottom of the fourth after Tremain led the inning off with a walk and catcher Casey Spencer was hit by a pitch. Junior Carly Plummer kept the rally going with an infield single up the middle before Panther pitcher Rachel McCoy took the ball in relief. With two outs in the inning, Goochland scored two runs off back-to-back bases-loaded walks by Caitlyn Robinson and Jackie Tremain.
The Panthers got one run back in the top of the 5th after a triple to right field by Morgan Treger and a sacrifice fly by Savanah Plum. Goochland rallied in the bottom of the inning for one run on a two-out RBI infield single by Casey Spencer, but Page struck back for one run in the top of the 6th to lead it 6-4 and complete the scoring.
Page starter Kare Breeden returned to the circle in relief to pitch a scoreless 7th inning and cut short the Bulldogs’ comeback bid.
The Panthers move on to the Region 2A East final.
