Orange County’s softball team exploded for 11 runs in an 11-1 blowout of Patrick Henry-Roanoke Monday night in the Conference 16 semifinals. But to give you some idea of the potential the Hornets’ lineup holds, Orange coach Doris Buzzell was left thinking that there’s more to come.
“(They’re) hitting the ball but they’re not hitting the ball to their potential,” Buzzell said. “I’m waiting for them to bust it open.”
The Hornets finished with nine hits from all over the lineup and drew some critical walks while also taking advantage of some Patrick Henry walks.
Jones went 2 for 3 at the plate to lead the way.
With Courtney Wright dealing in the circle, that was more than enough for Orange to keep their season alive while simultaneously celebrating senior night. Like most teams locally, the Hornets have had a hard time getting on the field lately which helped delay senior night festivities.
“We’ve made six bus rides and did nothing,” Buzzell said. “We had a practice on Friday and I told the girls to be focused, it’s do or die right now. I wasn’t ready to call it a season and I don’t think the girls were ready to call it a season.”
Wright struck out 13 and allowed just two hits in the game and managed to escape a couple of critical jams, including a bases loaded situation in the fourth inning. One of those 13 strikeouts got Wright out of that bit of trouble.
“It’s hard to take a senior out on senior night, but I was getting ready to make the move,” Buzzell said. “Then when she got two outs, I called (the reliever) back in, (and said) she’s got this.”
Kaitlyn Johnson, Lexi Lomax and Lindsey Slaughter each scored two runs apiece for the Hornets.
Orange advances to take on Atlee Wednesday in the Conference 16 semifinals. A win there would earn the Hornets a spot in the region tournament while a loss would force another elimination game in the conference third place contest.
