Twice Patrick Henry put a leadoff batter on base. The first time around, Albemarle’s defense turned what should have been a single into a 9-3 groundout on a throw from McKenzie Swanson. The next time around, Tyler Collier dove to catch infield fly and caught the runner heading back to first. In between those plays, pitcher Lindsey Chaney was on point, notching nine strikeouts. With the defense and pitching working in Albemarle’s favor, all that was needed was Caroline Porco’s timely hit in the second inning. AHS got more than that though as they took down Patrick Henry, also known as the Patriots, for a 5-0 win in the first round of the Northwest Region tournament.
“(The defense) was sweet – it’s so disheartening to hit a ball into the outfield and then get thrown out at first,” said Albemarle coach Bill Hutchinson. “(Lindsey) was in control from the first inning on. They only hit one ball hard and that was the one that was hit in the (ninth).”
In the first inning, Albemarle loaded the bases with two outs, but could not turn it into any runs. That changed in the second thanks to a walk to from Swanson with two outs. Swanson then stole second and Porco was able crank out a single to draw first blood.
In the fourth inning, AHS put together a true rally, loading the bases with no outs. An RBI single from Swanson and a 2-run single from Katie Taylor. For extra insurance Collier came up with an RBI single to score Alaina Peters and turn it into a 5-0 contest.
Albemarle allowed just one Patrick Henry runner to reach scoring position. Chaney gave up just four hits while sitting down nine batters, including striking out the side in the second inning.
“It feels really great, especially since this is the first time in a really long time that this team has played in the region,” Chaney said. “But really, it was an all-around team effort, I’m really proud of everyone. I think everyone got excited and just really wanted to play well, and then did.”
Albemarle (14-10) moves one step closer to earning a trip to the Group AAA tournament. To get there the Patriots will have to knock off Osbourn Park on the road on Monday at 6 p.m.
“We’re just going to try and keep the pressure off of us and keep playing,” Chaney said.
