HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL - THE DAILY PROGRESS 4/4/2025

ORANGE — The Louisa County and Orange County softball teams had the two best Jefferson District records in 2024. They split their head-to-head games during the year, with each team winning by a 2-1 score.

“I think every year, it's a battle,” Lions catcher Alyssa Hopkins said. “No matter what it is, it's normally always a one-run game.”

Louisa County opened its district schedule against the Fighting Hornets on Thursday, and understood what was necessary to be on the winning end.

“We knew we were going to have to hit the ball hard and play pretty clean defense, because they don't typically make a lot of errors,” Lions head coach Susan Sharpe said. “So you have to keep yourself clean and take advantage of the errors that they make.”

“We just knew that we had to go in hard,” Hopkins added. “The biggest thing was our hitting that we struggled with in the past, so we really harped on having a good mindset at the plate.”

Lauren Goodman led the game off with a single to right field, then stole second base. Two batters later, Hopkins drove Goodman in on a hard ground-ball single to center field.

In the bottom of the first, Orange's Adlee Shumake opened with a base hit before stealing second. Sydney Hearl then hit an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.

In Louisa County’s next time up, Kourtney Kidd led off with a line-drive single to right field, and advanced to third when Addison Talley’s bunt induced an error. Avery Harpster next drove Kidd in on a groundout that gave the Lions a 2-1 lead.

After Lily Ruckle threw a shutout inning in the bottom half of the frame, the Lions’ offense struck again. Hopkins lined one into right field for a base hit with one out, and her courtesy runner stole second and advanced to third before scoring on a groundout. Kidd and Talley each added RBI singles to make it a three-run inning.

In the top of the fourth, Katelyn Cheely hammered a fly ball over the right fielder’s head and flew around the bases for an inside-the-park home run.

Louisa County ended up winning by a 9-1 score, compiling 10 hits and only striking out in 16% of its plate appearances.

“I think we did a really good job adjusting pitch-by-pitch and batter-by-batter,” Hopkins said. “I know our coaches have really prepared us well for the [types] of pitches that we were going to see.”

The Lions consistently provided competitive contact throughout the evening.

“We work so hard on just hitting the ball hard and it's fun to see them put that into play during the games," Sharpe said, "because when you hit the ball hard, crazy things happen.”

Ruckle threw the first three innings, then Regan McCavanagh finished with four shutout frames.

Ruckle was Louisa County’s main pitcher in 2024, and posted a 1.28 ERA in 114 innings. McCavanagh is a recent transfer who offers a different look for opponents.

“They kind of complement each other well, so that's pretty exciting,” Sharpe said.

After graduating a few significant seniors from last year’s team, some younger players are playing larger parts. Avery Harpster is a freshman starting in left field despite historically playing first base, as the Lions already had Kidd playing at Harpster’s original position.

“She has really just kind of embraced the outfield role in his starting to play it like an outfielder,” Sharpe said.

Louisa County is also returning two first-team All-District players from 2024 in Kidd and Laci Garrett, along with four second-team All-District players in Ruckle, Hopkins, Cheely and Goodman.

The Lions are using the talented roster to build off a VHSL Class 5 state tournament appearance from last season, along with a Class 4 state title from two years ago.

While adjustments are being made, the outlook for Louisa County in 2025 is very positive.

“Everyone's kind of finding their role and doing a really good job accepting it and just flourishing,” Hopkins said.

Louisa County softball team opens district play with road win over Orange County

LOUISA

(Jefferson District)

Coach: Susan Sharpe

Last season: 19-5 overall (12-2 district), district champions, Region 5C runner-up.

Top returners: Sr. C Alyssa Hopkins (.429 BA, 36 RBIs, 991 fielding %, NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete), Sr OF Laci Garrett (all-district, .466 BA, 33 runs scored, 16 SB, NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete), So. P Lily Ruckle (19-5 record, 1.51 ERA, 108 SO, NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete), Sr. 1B Kourtney Kidd (all-district, NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete).

Top newcomers: So. P Regan McKavanagh.

Outlook: The Lions are returning a lot of good ball players and McKavanagh gives them a second quality pitcher to compliment Ruckle, Sharpe said, “filling a desire to have two actual pitchers on staff.”

Softball squad travels to S.C.

• John Hajduk lll, Reporter

•  Apr 10, 2024

Varsity Lions participate in Grand Strand Softball Classic

The Louisa Lions Varsity Softball team had some fun last week as they traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in order to take part in the Grand Strand Softball Classic. Similar to a round-robin style tournament, the team played five total games, opening up last Monday with a whopping 18-0 victory against the Olean Huskies from New York. The team would then lose a tight battle to the University Hawks by a score of 6-7, however, finished up the remainder of the tournament with three straight wins to finish with a record of 4-1.

Top performers from the week included Savannah Bragg — finishing the week batting .705 with four stolen bases and scoring eight runs.  Although she made one error at shortstop, she made up for it by pitching an important hitless inning. Laci Garrett also finished the week batting .600 with four stolen bases and scoring five runs; all while executing a flawless performance in center field. One of the team’s ace pitchers, Lilly Ruckle, was on the mound for a total of 30 innings. She initiated 28 strikeouts and only allowed five earned runs throughout the entirety of the tournament.

Aside from being on the field, the team all stayed together in a house for the entire week, having a blast while doing activities such as a dolphin tour, miniature golf, the SkyWheel, and attending a Murder Mystery Dinner. Midway through the week, more than a hundred Louisa faithful along with the softball team all met at a restaurant called Lulu’s where they also met up with the Louisa baseball team and enjoyed playing several rounds of volleyball and cornhole. According to Coach Susan Sharpe, the most enriching part of the experience was watching the players come together off the field and pick each other up after setting and accomplishing certain goals.“This is a great team bonding experience because they are together the entire week.  They create tons of inside jokes that usually get carried throughout the whole season,” Sharpe said. “After games we had uniform scrubbing parties. Myrtle Beach field dirt is the devil to get out of uniforms.”

Louisa's Laci Garrett reaches second base during a 2023 game. Garnett returns for the Lions, who look to repeat as state champions.

TRISTAN LOREI, FILE, THE FREE LANCE–STAR

Steve DeShazo

While the banner on the gymnasium wall serves as a permanent reminder of Louisa’s memorable 2023 softball season, this year’s Lions are fully aware that it guarantees them absolutely nothing.

“We’re focused on our team this year,” all-state senior second baseman Savannah Bragg said. “Last year was amazing, but we’re working hard every day to get better.”

The Lions have quite a standard to live up to. Last year’s squad went 24-1 and claimed the first state championship in program history.

The good news? Bragg is one of six starters return from that cohesive, loose squad that won its final 19 games, including a 9-1 romp over Halifax County in the VHSL Class 4 state final.

The challenge? The two biggest catalysts from that team graduated. Ace pitcher Emily Gillespie, the state player of the year, is now on the roster at Northern Kentucky University. And four-year starting shortstop Dara Sharpe is now at George Mason.

Plus, the Lions have moved up a division, to Class 5. But that doesn’t mean they’re any less motivated.

“We always have high expectations,” veteran coach Susan Sharpe said. “Last year, we were able to achieve them. Who knows what this year’s team will do? But we’re looking forward, not looking back.”

Unfair though it may be, the Lions’ repeat hopes may depend greatly on the progress of freshman pitcher Lily Ruckle. She takes over in the circle from Gillespie, who posted a 0.88 ERA and struck out 209 batters as a senior.

Although Ruckle shut out Riverbend 1-0 on nine hits in Thursday’s season opener, no one expects her to be as dominant as Gillespie was, at least not right away. But with a veteran cast around her, she doesn’t have to be.

“She’s a really hard worker, and she’s going to be a lot of fun to watch,” Sharpe said. “In our first scrimmage, she showed that she’s a gamer. We know that if she’s good, we can be really good again.”

That’s because the lineup around her remains strong, with several key role players from last season taking on even bigger roles this spring.

Bragg batted .389 with 24 RBIs as a junior, including a two-run, seventh-inning single that lifted the Lions to a 2-1 state quarterfinal win over Tuscarora when they were down to their last strike.

Also back are junior outfielder Laci Garrett, a second-team all-state selection in 2023; senior co-captain Mallory Greslick; and junior catcher Alyssa Hopkins, who caught Gillespie last season and will be tasked with helping nurture Ruckle.

Another freshman, Katelyn Cheely, has shown potential at several different positions.

“Everybody will have to do their part every single game,” Bragg said. “We’re definitely going to have a target on our backs. Everybody wants to beat the defending state champion. But that’s what makes it fun.”

Enjoying themselves has never been a problem for the Lions. Even as they battled through one-run victories in last year’s state quarterfinals and semifinals, the mood in the dugout was always loose and positive, and they had a knack of scoring key runs in the fifth inning.

“We never felt any pressure,” Hopkins said. “We knew what we were capable of.”

And Sharpe doesn’t see that changing, even if the team’s headliners do.

“They’re a bunch of goofballs,” she said. “One thing that really helped last season was that they played relaxed. This year, it’s pretty much the same crew. They work really hard, but they look like they’re having a blast.”

Championship-caliber teams find ways to win games.

On Tuesday night, the Louisa County softball team found a way to win.

The Lions added another chapter to their storybook season with an epic seventh-inning rally to beat Tuscarora 2-1 in the Virginia High School League Class 4 state quarterfinals in Mineral.

Savannah Bragg’s two-run single on the last swing of the game extended the Lions’ winning streak to 17 games and secured the first state tournament victory in program history.

“This team doesn’t know how to quit,” Louisa County softball coach Susan Sharpe said. “Hopefully, with their will, drive, determination and grit, we will get to play a couple more games.”

Runs were hard to come by most of the night, thanks to strong efforts in the circle from Tuscarora’s Lindsey Mullen and Louisa County’s Emily Gillespie. The two hurlers combined for 17 strikeouts and surrendered just four hits between them.

“The game was super nerve-wracking,” Gillespie said. “It was obvious both teams weren’t going to give up the win easily. I was struggling for a little bit in the circle, even though many people probably didn’t see that. I had to constantly tell myself to keep pushing. Push through this at-bat and if a girl got on, it’s fine because I wasn’t going to give the next girl a chance to score her and I left it up to my defense to make sure that runner didn’t advance. It was a good game. Those girls pushed us.”

Tuscarora broke through in the top of the seventh when Olivia Bruns scored an unearned run on a wild pitch.

“This game was a nailbiter,” Sharpe said. “Both teams were very evenly matched and there was no telling how the game was going to end until it did. We had several opportunities to score throughout the game, but couldn’t manage to get the timely hit.”

That changed in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Emily Chisholm led off with a single and Laci Garrett reached on an error to put runners on first and second. Pinch-runner Addison Smith and Garrett executed a double steal on a strikeout to put the winning run in scoring position with two outs.

That set the table for Bragg’s shining moment.

“During my at-bat, I tried to remain calm and treat it like a typical at-bat with runners on,” Bragg said. “The first pitch I swung at, I was too early, so I told myself to let the ball get deep and watch the ball all the way to contact.”

The plan worked to perfection as Bragg laced a single to the gap in left-center field to clear the bases and give her team the walk-off victory.

“Once I got the hit, I was so relieved, but I think the best part was seeing the happiness on my teammates' faces,” she said. “After all, I wouldn’t have been able to do that without them."

It is a memory that Bragg will cherish for the rest of her life.

"This hit probably ranks No. 1 for the rest of my softball career at LCHS,” Bragg said. “We have all worked so hard all season and we are so excited to be able to continue to play for each other and continue to make school history.”

Gillespie scattered an unearned run on three hits, struck out nine and walked three en route to the complete-game victory. Lillie Wools allowed two runs on two hits in a 1 2/3 innings of relief to take the loss for the Huskies.

“I feel the most special part is how the team plays and reacts to each other on the field,” Gillespie said. “If someone messes up, you don’t see everyone yelling at that girl, you see us over their picking her up so she can move on through the game with her head held high.”

Louisa County advances to Friday’s state semifinals against Hanover. The game is slated for 10 a.m. at Spotsylvania High School.

“We are super excited for the opportunity to be playing this far into postseason,” Gillespie said. “We have been working our butts off to accomplish this goal and we’re so happy to see it being accomplished.”

John Harvey

Last season, members of the Louisa County softball team were overcome with emotion after losing to Orange County in the regional semifinals, derailing the Lions’ dreams of playing in the Virginia High School League Class 4 state tournament.

One year later, Coach Susan Sharpe’s players were filled with joy and jubilation after making history in a 5-1 victory over Halifax County in the Region 4D championship game in Mineral.

It is the first regional championship for Louisa County, which has used last year’s regional semifinal loss as motivation this season.

The results have been impressive.

The Lions have won 15 straight games, including Thursday’s come-from-behind victory over Halifax County in the regional championship game.

“Winning a regional title on our home field was amazing, especially since it was the first time in program history,” Louisa senior Dara Sharpe said. “We started the season wanting to make history and knowing we had the drive to do so and here we are now. The community was a huge aspect of our success. There was so much support on the hill and it was so nice to know that our county has our backs too.”

Halifax opened the scoring in the second inning of Thursday’s game when Shamya Hankins scored on a throwing error following a double steal to give the Comets a 1-0 lead.

Halifax pitcher Emma Payne held the Louisa County bats at bay for the first four innings before the Lions broke through with a five-run outburst in the bottom of the fifth.

Emily Chisholm provided the thunder to start the rally for Louisa, drilling a home run over the right field fence to tie the game at 1-1. Later in the inning, Savannah Bragg lined a base hit the opposite way to score Laci Garrett and put the Lions ahead for good.

Dara Sharpe followed with an RBI single, then Alyssa Hopkins tripled to center to plate Sharpe and give LCHS a 4-1 lead. Emily Gillespie capped the rally with an RBI groundout to extend the Louisa lead to 5-1 with just two innings to play.

Halifax tried to respond in the sixth and got two runners on with two outs, but the rally would end there as Gillespie pitched out of the jam to secure the win and the regional championship for the Lions.

Gillespie scattered an unearned run on four hits and struck out seven to earn the complete-game victory in the circle for Louisa. Payne fanned four in six innings of work for Halifax County.

“This is just a blue-collar team,” Louisa coach Susan Sharpe said. “They come in every day and work hard, very hard. We push them and when they think they can’t be pushed any harder, we push a little more. That way, game time is easy for them. It has seemed to work with this group. On the flip side, because they are willing to work so hard, we have a ton of fun. They are constantly joking around with each other and goofing off, but when it’s time to work, they work.”

Louisa and Halifax both advance to next week’s VHSL Class 4 state tournament. Louisa (21-1) will host either James Wood or Tuscarora on Tuesday in the state quarterfinals. Game time is 6 p.m.

Sharpe couldn’t be prouder of her group.

“This team is very humble,” she said. “They play for each other and it is so apparent, not just in games, but in practice. They also win with dignity. You won’t see them with a huge celebration after a game. Even when we earned the berth to states or the [region] championship game, there was not a big celebration. There’s usually just a couple high-fives and they line up to shake hands. I still don’t think they know how good they really are.”

Dara Sharpe is excited to play another postseason game in Louisa in front of the community that has helped make this season’s success possible.

“I am very excited to host the first round of states at home because I know that the community is going to keep showing up for us and supporting the team,” she said. “Our group of girls are so special and we have so much fight. There is simply no other group in Louisa that could do this.”

John Harvey (434) 978-7250

jharvey@dailyprogress.com

@JohnNHarveyIII on Twitter

Fifth-Inning Jumpstart: Louisa softball wins program’s first region title

June 5, 2023by Scrimmage Play

Louisa County softball made some history Thursday night with a fifth-inning offensive explosion. 

 The Lions, who’d already qualified for the state tournament by virtue of a region semifinal victory over Blacksburg, won the first region championship in program history with a 5-1 victory over Halifax to take home the Region 4D championship.

 The Lions will host Tuscarora Tuesday in the state quarterfinals at 6 p.m. with a spot in the state final four on the line. 

 Beating the Comets was no easy task either as Halifax took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a throwing error during a rundown. But after that, some lights out defense behind pitcher Emily Gillespie who struck out seven and threw a four-hit, two-walk complete game helped set the stage for an offensive explosion in the bottom of the fifth. 

 Emily Chisholm led off the fifth inning with a home run and Louisa then went on a tear. Laci Garrett singled, then Savannah Bragg knocked her in, then Dara Sharpe knocked her in and Alyssa Hopkins cracked her second triple of the game and brought Sharpe around and Gillispie grounded out to bring in courtesy runner Addison Smith.

 Just like that, it was 4-1 Lions and Louisa was in complete control of the contest. Bragg and Hopkins finished with two hits each. 

If the tight-knit Lions can keep finding solid pitching in Gillespie and locked in defense, they’ve got a chance to make a state tournament run. 

They’ll start that journey Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

Softball Lions improve to 19-1 with Regional win

The Louisa County High School varsity girls softball team got five runs in the fourth inning to pull away from Pulaski in the Region 4D quarterfinal last Thursday in Mineral. The top-seeded Lions hosted Blacksburg Tuesday night for the opportunity to vie for the regional title Thursday.

The top-seeded Louisa County High School’s varsity softball team advanced to the semifinals of the Class 4 Region D Tournament last week with a 6-1 win over eighth-seeded Pulaski County.

The Lions hosted fourth-seed Blacksburg Tuesday night (after deadline)  in Mineral after the Bruins (17-5) beat Orange County 3-1 last week.

Hosting Pulsaski last Thursday, the Lions plated five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to build a 6-0 lead they would not relinquish.

Senior pitcher Emily Gillespie gave up only three hits in seven innings, striking out 13 to earn the win.

BLT Bow-Tie Pasta Salad

 The Lions’ offense backed her strong performance in the circle with 11 hits, including two doubles.

Alyssa Hopkins had three hits, including a double, driving in two runs.

Dara Sharpe singled, drove in two runs and scored once. Emily Chisholm doubled, singled and scored. Savannah Bragg and Mallory Greslick each singled, scored once and drove in a run. Laci Garnett and Haley Walker each singled and scored.

The win improved the Lions’ record to 19-1. In the bottom half of the regional draw, Halifax beat Western Albemarle 12-2 and Jefferson Forest beat second-seeded Amherst, 4-1. The winners Tuesday will play at the home of the lowest remaining seed Thursday, June 1.

Softball steamrolls opponents

• May 18, 2023

The Louisa County High School varsity girls softball team won big last week--cranking out 45 runs in three games.

Andrew Woolfolk

The Louisa County High School varsity girls softball team scored 45 runs in three wins last week—with 40 of those runs coming in their last two games of the week.

Thursday evening, the Lions (16-1) scored 14 runs in the first inning on their way to a 23-2 blitzing of Charlottesville on the Black Knights’ home field.

The Lions, who cranked out 29 hits in the rout, scored six more in the second and three more in the next two innings before the mercy rule shortened the game to five innings.e a Whisk

 Savannah Bragg had a perfect evening at the plate, recording five hits, including a double and a triple, scoring four times and driving in two. Alyssa Hopkins also had a perfect night, with five hits (including a double), five runs batted in and three runs scored.

Dara Sharpe had three hits, two of which were doubles, four runs batted in and three runs scored. Lauren Goodman had four hits and scored twice, while Arianna Taylor had three hits, a run batted in and two runs scored.

Emily Gillepsie had two hits, one of the Lion’s seven doubles, four runs batted in and a run scored. Haley Walker had two hits, including a double, and three runs batted in, while Laci Garnett had a hit and three runs scored. Kourtney Kidd had two hits, including a double, a run scored and a run batted in as 11 Lions recorded base hits.

Bragg pitched four innings of three-hit ball, striking out eight. Walker tossed one inning and fanned two. Both gave up unearned runs.

A night earlier, the Lions routed Patrick Henry (Ashland) on the road, 17-1, in a non-conference match-up.

This time, the Lions’ big inning came in the third when Louisa plated nine runs to break open a 3-1 game. From there, they added five more runs while keeping the Patriots off the board to complete the five-inning victory.

Louisa recorded 15 base hits, including three home runs.

Emilie Gillespie had two hits—a home run and a double—driving in five and scoring once. Alyssa Hopkins homered among her three hits, drove in three and scored one. Dara Sharpe also homered, scored three times and drove in three.

Lauren Goodman had two hits, scored three times and drove in one. Haley Walker had two hits, three runs batted in and a run scored. Savannah Bragg had a hit, scored twice and drove in a run. Addison Smith singled and scored three runs. Emily Chisholm doubled and scored twice.

Walker pitched three innings of one-hit ball, striking out two. Gillespie tossed two innings, giving up one hit and a run, and striking out three.

The week began with the Lions hosting 12-6 Western Albemarle and the Lions shutting out the Warriors, 5-0 in Mineral.

The two teams traded scoreless innings until the Lions plated two in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead. They added an insurance run in the fifth and two more in the sixth, all the while keeping the Warriors from circling the bases.

Haley Walker had a double and two runs batted in to go with a run scored, while Alyssa Hopkins had a double and a triple. Savannah Bragg had a single and two runs batted in, while Dara Sharpe singled and drove in a run. Mallory Greslick stole two bases and Laci Garrett, Emily Chisholm and Walker also added steals for the Lions.

Emily Gillespie pitched seven shutout innings, giving up only one hit and one walk. She struck out nine.

Tuesday, the girls hosted Albemarle (after deadline), with Goochland visiting Thursday in the regular season finale.

MINERAL — Some athletes grow to love a sport over time.

For Dara Sharpe, her infatuation with softball began practically at birth.

“Considering that I was at the field since I was born, I guess I can say that my mom got me involved in softball,” Sharpe said. “I vividly remember the days sitting at the field in a Pack-in-Play beside my dad while my older sister was playing and my mom was coaching.”

Those early visits to the field created a love and passion for the sport that has helped make the Louisa County senior one of the top softball players in Central Virginia.

In seven games this season, Sharpe is hitting .400 with four RBI. She has 12 hits, including a pair of doubles and triples, and has scored a team-high 11 runs for the Lions, who currently rank second behind Monticello in the race for the Jefferson District championship.

“This season has started out very well for me,” Sharpe said. “I have been a solid bat in the lineup for my team and a stellar glove in the field to support my pitcher. I have stepped up big in a leadership position in order to keep the energy up and everyone in a level head space.”

One of the reasons behind Sharpe’s success is her sister, Brittany Wratchford, who is still a major influence on her softball career. Wratchford, who starred at Louisa before playing softball at Radford University, is now an assistant coach for the Lions and pushes Sharpe to keep improving.

“Since I grew up watching her play, I always wanted to be like her and make her proud,” Sharpe said. “My sister was such an impactful person in my career because she was what inspired me to even pick up a glove and because, even now as my coach, she pushes me to great limits to ensure that I can be the best player I can be.”

Sharpe began playing at the age of 4 in a local T-ball league.

“I would get upset because the other kids did not play the game right,” Sharpe said. “Then when I was 8, I started playing travel softball for my mom at the 10U level.”

Softball didn’t always come easy for Sharpe, who had to overcome some early fears at the plate.

“I remember my first time stepping in the batter’s box, it was extremely nerve-racking,” she said. “I was standing there afraid of what was going to happen and not wanting the ball to be thrown anywhere near me. As I have gotten older, I have grown hungry for the ball and want the pitcher to throw me something I can hit every pitch.”

Even when she doesn’t get a pitch that she can hit, Sharpe is disciplined and deliberate at the plate.

“When I step in the box, I go in with the approach of hunting my favorite pitch that I know I can hit hard,” Sharpe said. “Depending on where we are in the game, I will get more strategic with my at-bats, depending on where runners are at. I like to know what the pitcher is most likely going to throw at me, so I can lay off the stuff that will make me unsuccessful and attack stuff that will lead to success.”

Louisa County Coach Susan Sharpe said her daughter’s success is a product of her work ethic and eagerness to improve.

“Dara is a special player because she is a true student of the game,” Susan Sharpe said. “If she isn’t actively working on improving her skills, she is watching games, baseball and softball, to try to pick up anything that will make her a better player.”

One area where Dara Sharpe has continued to improve is on the basepaths. The senior has stolen four bases so far this season.

“When I get on base, the intention is to always be aggressive and look for the next 60 feet, as my mom always says,” Dara Sharpe said. “However, I have to be smart so that I can be aggressive, but not get out at any point.”

But there are some times when being aggressive can get the best of Sharpe. Coach Susan Sharpe recalled a moment in practice three years ago that left the whole team smiling.

“We were practicing work on double plays and she was at shortstop,” Susan Sharpe said. “She was running to second to receive the ball and belly flopped. She didn’t trip on the bag, her feet or her shoestrings. I think her momentum was carrying her faster than her body could keep up and she laid herself out. Everyone was laughing so hard. It took a good five minutes to get back to work. Luckily, the school’s security camera’s picked it up, from two different angles. I still laugh when I watch it.”

Dara Sharpe has a knack for making practice an enjoyable experience for her teammates, but she also knows when it is time to buckle down.

“Dara is also good at keeping the mood light and fun, but knows when we need to reign it in, roll up our sleeves and get to work,” Susan Sharpe said. “She is a natural leader. I feel the team respects her knowledge of the game and her approach to the way she leads. She is extremely humble. Her main focus is to just play the game to the best of her ability and help her team be successful”

Dara Sharpe has been a fixture in the Lions program for the past four years and has been a key cog in the program’s success. Despite missing her freshman year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she continues to propel her team forward.

“She is a key part of the high school team because she has been on the varsity for four seasons and has been playing travel ball at a high level since she was in the seventh grade,” Susan Sharpe said. “She understands how the game should be played and she has a very high softball IQ. I feel that really helps her help the team because she sees the game a little differently than most high school players.”

She has come a long way since that anxiety-riddled first trip to the plate.

“The progression I have made over the years is astounding,” she said. “I went from being afraid of the ball to wanting every ball hit to me. As I got older, I grew up a lot stronger and faster, which made me play even more exciting because there was more power and explosiveness.”

Outside of softball, Sharpe stays active in a variety of activities.

In school, she’s involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Hiking Club, Sources of Strength, Yearbook, Kick Off Mentors and the National Honor Society. She also takes advanced placement courses, including Dual Enrollment English, Environmental Science and Government.

Sharpe enjoys spending time with family and friends and is very active in her church, The Point at Louisa.

“My hobbies revolve heavily around my faith, youth group and being involved in my church considering I am where I am right now because of His grace,” Sharpe said. “I love spending time with my family off the field and just getting to chat and catch up outside of the softball world. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and going out to either get dinner, shop, or just hang out outside.”

On the field, Sharpe is motivated to succeed. Last season, Louisa County suffered a heartbreaking loss to Orange County in the Region 4D semifinals, ending the Lions’ dream of earning a state tournament berth.

“After coming up short last year, it motivated this year’s team to have an even deeper desire to win and work hard,” Sharpe said. “This has shown greatly in the way we practice. There has been so much intensity on the field at practices this year that I have not seen before. I am extremely excited about the chance to make another run for the state tournament. This group of girls have proven that we can do it and as long as this want keeps showing up to the field every day. I think we have a good chance at going farther than last year.”

That ability to push through adversity should serve Sharpe well next season when she becomes a member of the George Mason University softball team.

“My future goal is to be an impactful member of the softball program as soon as I get there,” Sharpe said. “Whether the impact is on the field playing, or in the dugout being the biggest supporter.”

She plans to major in Criminology: Law and Society at George Mason and pursue a career as a paralegal. After college, her plan is to move back to Louisa County, start a family, and coach with her mom and sister at Louisa County.

Playing for her mom the last four years has been a unique and rewarding experience for Dara Sharpe.

“The dynamic with my mom as my coach is definitely unique,” Sharpe said. “Growing up, we have become extremely close, which was, and still is a blessing. Sometimes, things can get difficult because we are so much alike, we can go back and forth with each other. However, it is no secret that she is my biggest supporter and will always have my back, no matter the situation.”

Regardless of how this season ends, Sharpe is grateful to have had the opportunity to spend her high school career alongside her mom and sister, who have been there since her softball journey began.

“This year is going to be a very bittersweet memory and I am going to miss playing with her so much, but I will never forget the multitude of things she has taught me in the game of softball and life,” Sharpe said. “The most difficult thing with my mom being my coach is that sometimes she is really hard on me, which feels bad, but in the end, I know it is for the betterment of my play which took my years upon years to figure out. At the same time, that is the most rewarding part of her being my coach, because I would be nowhere close to the young woman and softball player I am today if she were not has hard on me as she has been at times.”

Lions bounce back with Riverbend win

• Apr 6, 2023

The Lions fell behind early but rallied late and beat Riverbend 6-5 in an extra-inning varsity softball match-up last Friday near Fredericksburg.

Facing the Bears on their homefield, the Lions scored a run in the top of the first, but trailed 4-1 after Riverbend batted in the home-half of the inning.

The Bears added another run an inning later to take a four-run lead before the Lions started chipping away. Two runs in the top of the third closed the gap to 5-3, before the Lions added a run each in the top of the fifth and sixth to knot the game at 5-5.atoes Dumplings

While the Lions’ offense was clawing back, Louisa’s pitching and defense kept the Bears off the board, pushing the game to extra innings.

The Lions got a run in the top of the eighth and hung a sixth straight 0 on the board for the Bears in the bottom of the extra inning to emerge with the win.

Louisa rapped out 14 hits, with Savannah Bragg and Dara Sharpe leading the way with three each. Bragg had a double, a run scored and a run batted in. Sharpe also doubled, drove in a run and scored twice.

Alyssa Hopkins had two hits and an RBI, while Laci Garnett had two hits and scored twice. She also stole a base. Mallory Greslick also had two hits.

Emily Gillespie threw six scoreless innings, giving up only four hits while striking out eight. Bragg and Haley Walker each pitched an inning. Louisa pitchers gave up only eight hits but issued seven walks.

The win was a good bounceback for the Lions after a tough 1-0 loss to Monticello on the road last Thursday. It was their first loss of the regular season.

The Lions are off for spring break, returning to action Tuesday, April 18 against Charlottesville and traveling to Albemarle April 20.

The Free Lance Star - March 19, 2023

LOUISA

Coach: Susan Sharpe

Last season: 15-7 (12-2)

Top returners: Sr. P Emily Gillespie, Sr. SS Dara Sharpe, Jr. 2B Savannah Bragg, So. C Alyssa Hopkins, So. IF Kourtney Kidd.

Top newcomers: F. U Lauren Goodman, Sr. P/3B Haley Walker.

Outlook: Gillespie struck out 165 batters last season and joins Sharpe as the leaders of a veteran team with state tournament aspirations.

Kaitlyn Foster swings at a pitch during the Lions’ regional semifinal contest against Orange on May 30. Foster got the Lions on the board in the fifth with a RBI double, plating Lydia Gillespie.

Lions fall to Hornets in heartbreaker

• Joseph Haney

•  23 hrs ago

One play can make all the difference.

That’s the hard lesson the Lions’ softball team learned in their Region 4D semifinal game against Orange on May 30. 

Louisa entered the bottom of the seventh with a 1-0 lead over the Hornets, just three outs away from a shot at the Region 4D title and at least one game in next week’s Class 4 state championship. Right fielder Emily Chisholm got the first out with a throw to second to catch the Hornets’ first batter and their second batter of the inning was caught at first, putting Orange on the brink of elimination.

Jessy Reynolds was next up to the plate, connecting for a single to get on base. Then came lead-off batter Kennon Burnett, who sent the ball flying deep into left-center, getting Reynolds home to tie the score. 

The Lions tried to stop Burnett at third, but the throw sailed past the third baseman, giving Burnett an opening to score, and giving the Hornets a come-from-behind 2-1 victory.

Even with the final result, coach Susan Sharpe was proud of the effort the Lions showed throughout the game.

“The way we played tonight was phenomenal,” she said “You don’t see very many high school teams play with the amount of heart we played with tonight.”

The Lions were able to break things open a bit in the top of the fifth. Lydia Gillespie notched a single to get on base, then advanced on a single from Emily Gillespie. A sacrifice play from Emma McGehee got Lydia to third and Ali Downey (courtesy runner for Emily) to second. 

Kaitlyn Foster took to the plate and knocked a shot just out of reach of the shortstop for a double, getting Gillespie home. 

“Kaitlyin is, without a doubt, the most disciplined player at the plate,” Sharpe said. “She’s been a textbook ninth batter thsi season and did a phenomenal job of getting on base for the top of the lineup. [Monday’s] hit was typical Kaitlyn. She really came in clutch for us.”

Hopes of building a wider lead in the fifth were dashed as Downey was caught at third and Foster was tagged out on her way home later in the inning, but the Lions were up 1-0.

Louisa’s defense kept the Hornets at bay for most of the game. Middle infielders Savannah Bragg and Dara Sharpe made big stops throughout the night, while catcher Alyssa Hopkins dove for a pop-up foul at home plate for an out in the fourth. and center fielder Lydia Gillespie caught a fly on the run to close out the sixth inning. 

In the circle, Emily Gillespie struck out three batters over the first four innings, and Maddox Pleasants closed things out, striking out one.

Bragg led the offense with two hits, while Foster, Hopkins, Pleasants Lydia Gillespie and Emily Gillespie each had one.

The Lions had better luck in their regional quarterfinal game against the Blacksburg Bruins on May 25. Louisa emerged victorious, 3-2, after an extended 12-inning battle.

Bragg got the Lions on the board in the top of the first inning, getting on base with a single and scoring on a single from Hopkins. The score remained unchanged until the top of the sixth, with Dara Sharpe crossing the plate on a RBI from Pleasants, putting the Lions up 2-0.

They didn’t hold that lead for long, as the Bruins put up a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. The score remained unchanged after the seventh, so things went into extra innings. 

Five extra innings, in fact. And it was in that fifth inning, in the top of the 12th, that Emily Gillespie hit a solo homerun to put the Lions back on top. 

“The team played with so much determination and heart,” coach Sharpe said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them. They excuted when we needed them to and fought hard the entire game.”

The Lions end their season with a record of 15-7.

2022 All-Jefferson District Softball released

May 24, 2022by Scrimmage Play

The Jefferson District coaches have voted on 2022’s All-Jefferson District softball. Here’s the squad:

Player of the Year: Emily Gillespie, Louisa County

Coach of the Year: Heidi Freitager, Monticello

First Team

Pitchers: Emily Gillespie, Louisa County, Jr.; Hannah Hearl, Orange County, So.; Katie O’Connor, Monticello, Jr.

Catcher: Reese Rogers, Orange County, Sr.

First Base: Jachelle Mosley, Orange County, So.

Second Base: Savannah Bragg, Louisa County, So.

Third Base: Wynter Morris, Western Albemarle, Jr.

Shortstop: Dara Sharpe, Louisa County, Jr.

Outfielders: Haley Martin, Orange County, Jr; Lydia Gillespie, Louisa County, Sr.; Willow Barr, Monticello, Fr.; Madison Owen, Fluvanna County, So.

DP-Flex: Chesley Farthing, Goochland, So.

Utility: Maddox Plesants, Louisa County, Sr.

Second Team

Pitchers: Kirsten Fitzgerald, Fluvanna County, So.; Madison Steppe, Monticello, Fr.; Ananya Madaan, Western Albemarle, Fr.

Catcher: Braelyn Via, Fluvanna County, Jr.

First Base: Makayla Gentry, Fluvanna County, Jr.

Second Base: Shantrice Rush, Fluvanna County, Jr.

Third Base: Kourtney Kidd, Louisa County, Fr.

Shortstop: Sammi Deitsch, Monticello, So.

Outfielders: Brooke Napier, Fluvanna County, Jr.; Caroline Perkins, Albemarle, Jr.; Abrielle White, Goochland, Sr.; Karly Hance, Fluvanna County, Jr.

DP-Flex: Sydney Gibson, Fluvanna County, So.

Utility: Jasmine Price, Goochland, Sr.

LOUISA 3, GOOCHLAND 0

Emily Gillespie struck out 12 in a three-hit shutout, and Lydia Gillespie homered as the Lions won their regular-season finale. Alyssa Hopkins was 2 for 3 with a triple.

                                               R H E

Louisa        010  000  2  —    3 4  1

Goochland  000  000  0  —   0 3  1

EMILY GILLESPIE and Alyssa Hopkins. JAYDEN STATON and Brookelyn Green. 

Emily Gillespie fires off a pitch during the Lions’ senior night game against Albemarle. Gillespie pitched all five innings and struck out 13 batters as the Lions won 16-1. Photo by Carrie Chisholm

Softball dominates against Charlottesville, Albemarle

• Joseph Haney

•  3 hrs ago

The Louisa Lions softball team added a pair of district wins to their season record, shutting out Charlottesville 18-0 in a road contest on May 12 and defeating Albemarle 16-1 at home on May 16.

The Lions jumped to early leads in both games, scoring 10 runs against Charlottesville and six against Albemarle during their first at-bat. They added runs to their score in each subsequent inning to secure the wins. Albemarle’s lone run came in the top of the first inning.

The Lions totaled 25 hits against the Black Knights, with Savannah Bragg, Alyssa Hopkins, Emma McGehee and Kourtney Kidd each getting four hits. Bragg and Kidd each crossed the plate three times, as did Kaitlyn Foster, who stepped in as a courtesy runner for Hopkins, while McGehee scored twice. Hopkins batted in three runs and Bragg plated two.

Maddox Pleasants, connected for a trio of hits and three RBIs, scoring one run for the Lions. Arianna Taylor scored three runs and added two hits. Mallory Greslick had two hits, two RBIs and scored one run and Ali Downey and Dara Sharpe each had one hit. Sharpe scored one run and Downey had an RBI.

The Lions were equally dominant at the plate against the Patriots, scoring 18 hits. Lydia Gillespie had three hits, while Bragg, Hopkins, Kidd, Pleasants, Downey and McGehee each had two. Sharpe, Taylor and Emily Gillespie each had one.

Pleasants and Kidd each scored three runs, while Sharpe, Greslick, Foster, Lydia Gillespie and McGehee each scored twice.

Pleasants pitched for the Lions against Charlottesville, striking out five batters and giving up one hit. Emily Gillespie took care of business in the circle against Albemarle, striking out 13 batters.

Prior to the start of the game against Albemarle, the team celebrated Senior Night, honoring senior players McGehee, Pleasants, Downey and Lydia Gillespie.

“These four young ladies have been the definition of student/athlete,” said coach Susan Sharpe of her seniors. “All four set extremely high expectations for themselves on the field and in the classroom and they get the job done ... I know their futures are bright. They won’t settle for anything less. These are the type of athletes younger athletes should look up to. They will be dearly missed.”

The Lions close out their regular season on May 19 with a home game against the Goochland Bulldogs. Action begins at 6 p.m.

Shortstop Dara Sharpe fires off a throw to first for a defensive play during the Lions’ home game against Western Albemarle on May 10.

Softball scores home win over Western

• Joseph Haney

•  2 hrs ago

The Louisa Lions split a pair of district games, falling to Orange in a road contest on May 5 and defeating Western Albemarle at home on May 10.

Louisa’s victory over Western came by a 4-2 margin. The Lions got on the board in the first inning, with Dara Sharpe leading off with a triple, then scoring on a RBI double from Alyssa Hopkins. Emily Gillespie batted Hopkins in with a single to put the Lions up 2-0. 

The Lions didn’t have any luck adding to their score in the second or third innings, but the Warriors managed to tie things up in the top of the third. 

“I feel like we were a little bit too anxious in the beginning [of the game], kind of swinging out in front and not swinging at our pitch,” said coach Susan Sharpe. “After the third inning, I was like, ‘This is something you guys have been working on all year, and you’re starting to get good at it. Let’s not regress, let’s think about what we need to do.’”

The team took those words to heart and retook the lead in their next at-bat. Lydia Gillespie led off with a solo home run, then Kourtney Kidd got on base with a single. Kaitlyn Foster hit a double to get Kidd to third, then Savannah Bragg got her home for a final score of 4-2.

Hopkins, Bragg, Dara Sharpe, Gillespie and Foster each had a hit for the Lions. Maddox Pleasants pitched three innings, striking out two batters and giving up three hits. Emily Gillespie closed out the game, striking out seven batters and giving up two hits over the final four innings.

The Hornets won the game on May 5, defeating the Lions 4-2. Orange scored two runs in the first inning, then added two more in the third. Foster and Lydia Gillespie crossed the plate for the Lions in the top of the fifth, but they would get no closer.

“This was a very competitive game,” Coach Sharpe said. “This time around, I felt we hit much better and continue to make good choices at the plate as far as knowing what pitch we want to hit. We had a few too many mistakes on defense which allowed them to score three of their four runs.”

Dara Sharpe and Savannah Bragg each had a pair of hits and a RBI for the Lions. Gillespie added two hits and Foster had one. Pleasants pitched the first inning, giving up three hits. Emily Gillespie took over in the second, striking out seven batters and giving up three hits.

The Lions hit the road on May 12, traveling to Charlottesville to face the Black Knights. They return home on May 16 to host the Albemarle Patriots. Both games begin at 6 p.m.

Freshman Alyssa Hopkins (9) is congratulated by her teammates as she completes her home run in the first inning of the Lions’ May 3 contest against Monticello.  Photo by Carrie Chisholm

Practice pays dividends at the plate

• Joseph Haney

•  5 hrs ago

Freshman Alyssa Hopkins (9) is congratulated by her teammates as she completes her home run in the first inning of the Lions’ May 3 contest against Monticello.  Photo by Carrie Chisholm

For Alyssa Hopkins, the Lions’ first outing against Monticello on March 31 was “very eye-opening.”

“My whole life, I’ve been known as the big hitter, and it was a very humbling experience because I struck out like three times,” the freshman catcher said. “I realized I needed to buckle down this season, that nothing was going to be given to me.”

She went to work on improving her performance at the plate, so she would be ready for the rematch. 

And when the Lions faced the Mustangs again on May 3, Hopkins saw her work pay off, knocking the ball over the left field fence for a two-run homer in the first inning.

“I saw the pitch and I couldn’t think of anything,” she said. “Everything went blank and it all came together at the right time.”

The Lions led 2-0 after the first inning, a margin it took them 10 innings to achieve in their last outing with the Mustangs. They weren’t the last runs the team would score, as Kourtney Kidd and Emily Chisholm crossed home plate in the second and Maddox Pleasants scored in the third to give the Lions a 5-0 victory.

“The girls are really starting to see the pitches they want to hit and hitting them instead of hitting the pitches the pitchers want them to hit,” said coach Susan Sharpe. “We’ve pulled out the pitching machine [in practice], and they hate it because you can really see flaws when you use a pitching machine. But after tonight, I think they’re like, ‘This is working.’ They’ve also been working a lot on their own and it looks like they’re finally figuring it out.”

Hopkins and Pleasants had two hits apiece while Kidd, Chisholm and Savannah Bragg each had one. Pleasants pitched the first four innings, striking out four batters and giving up three hits. Emily Gillespie took over in the circle in the fifth, striking out seven and giving up one hit.

Louisa @ Fluvanna

The Lions took on the Flucos on the road on April 28 coming out on top 4-3.

Following a trio of scoreless innings, the Lions got on the board in the fourth when Emma McGehee connected for a triple, batting in Maddox Pleasants and Kourtney Kidd. Lydia Gillespie got McGehee home with a RBI single to give Louisa a 3-0 lead. The Flucos responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring a pair of runs to cut the score to 3-2, then tied things up in the fifth. Pleasants batted in Katelyn Foster in the seventh to put the Lions back on top.

“This was a fun game to coach,” said coach Susan Sharpe. “Maddox pitched four innings and the defense was strong behind her, then Emily Gillespie came in with one out in the fifth and shut Fluvanna’s offense down. The girls were very disciplined at the plate and we managed to have productive at-bats.”

Pleasants and Alyssa Hopkins led the offense with three hits each, while McGehee, Foster, Kidd, Lydia Gillespie, Savannah Bragg and Dara Sharpe each had one. Pleasants struck out one batter in the circle and Emily struck out seven.

The Lions hit the road on May 5 to take on the Orange County Hornets then host Western Albmarle on May 10. Action begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday and at 6 p.m. on Monday.

LOUISA 5, MONTICELLO 0

Alyssa Hopkins hit a two-run home run and Maddox Pleasants went 2 for 3 while pitching four shutout innings in the Lions’ Jefferson District win.

                                                        R H E

Louisa                2 2 1 0 0 0 0   —  5 7 0

Monticello          0 0 0 0 0 0 0   —  0 6 1

MADDOX PLEASANTS, Emily Gillespie (5) and Alyssa Hopkins. KATIE O’CONNOR, Madison Steppe and Sami Deitsch.

LOUISA 4, FLUVANNA 3

Starting pitcher Maddox Pleasants went 4 for 4 and doubled home the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh for the Lions in their Jefferson District road win.

                                               R H E

Louisa        0 0 0 3 0 0 1  —  4  9  1

Fluvanna   0  0 0 2 1 0 0  —  3  7  0

 Maddox Pleasants, EMILY GILLESPIE (5) and Alyssa Hopkins. HALEY KIRBY and B. Via.

LOUISA 7, GOOCHLAND 2

Emily Gillespie struck out 12 and had three hits, including a triple and home run, in the Lions’ Jefferson District win. Maddox Pleasants and Savannah Bragg were each 3 for 4.

                                                   R   H  E

Louisa             1 1 4 0 1 0 0  — 7  13  2

Goochland      0 1 0 0 0 10   — 2   3  1

EMILY GILLESPIE and Alyssa Hopkins. CHELSEY FARTHING, Madison D and Brookelyn.

The seventh-grader playing catch in the outfield was a bit erratic, Susan Sharpe admits. But the velocity was undeniable.

Sharpe, Louisa’s current varsity softball coach, was working with the county’s middle school program at the time. She ultimately decided to trust her gut regarding Emily Gillespie.

“The next middle school game, I told my assistant coach, ‘We’re throwing Emily,’ ” Sharpe recalled. “She settled down and was pretty impressive. I said, ‘We’ve got something special coming up.’ ”

In the years since, Gillespie has validated her coach’s trust many times over. Now a junior, the hard-throwing southpaw has harnessed her potential to become one of the Fredericksburg area’s premier strikeout artists.

After fanning 13 batters in a 4–0 loss to Riverbend Friday night, Gillespie has 133 punchouts on the season.

“I think my speed and my movement combined really helps with that,” Gillespie said of her uncanny ability to miss bats.

Fortunately for Louisa (7–5), she doesn’t miss many innings in the circle.

The Lions spent their spring break at a tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and the indefatigable Gillespie tossed five games in as many days, with her stamina faltering only midway through the final game of Louisa’s trip.  

Well, temporarily.

“When I took her out, she came up to me two innings later and said, ‘I can go back in if you need me to,’ ” Sharpe said.

Gillespie, whose repertoire consists of a fastball, two types of change-ups, a drop ball and a rise ball, has allowed just eight earned runs in 70 2/3 innings of work for a 0.79 ERA. Even when opposing offenses do manage to break through, she recovers quickly.

After allowing a pair of unearned runs in the first inning against Riverbend Friday, Gillespie settled in, striking out the side in the second, third and fourth frames. Her velocity sits in the mid-60s, a scary thought for those standing 43 feet away in the batter’s box.

“At that point she was just doing her thing,” Bears coach Bri Worley said of Gillespie. “She’s just someone you have to focus through and make contact. She’s going to spin the ball, she’s going to move the ball. She’s good.”

To keep advancing in her pitching career, however, Gillespie might need to make a lateral move. While her current pitches are devastating, they all manipulate the strike zone vertically. Adding a curveball to her arsenal would remedy that situation.

“If she could start working on some side-to-side stuff, she could be really nasty,” Sharpe said.

Gillespie committed to the University of Northern Kentucky after attending a camp there last summer. While she’s smitten with the Division I school, which plays in the Horizon League, Sharpe has counseled her to keep her options open.

As the strikeouts pile up, so too might the scholarship offers.

“She and I were actually talking about that today,” Sharpe said with a smile. “She said, ‘I just love it there.’ I said, ‘You never know.’ She still has a little bit of time.”

Dara Sharpe and Savannah Bragg each went 3 for 3 and scored four runs in the Lions’ Jefferson District victory.

                                           R   H  E

Louisa       3(11)4 1 0  —  19 18  4

Albemarle 0   0 0 2 0  —    2   2  2

Emily Gillespie, MADDOX PLEASANTS and Alyssa Hopkins. A. Whiteman, R. Strider and A. Kittlin.

• Lydia Gillespie swings at a pitch during the Lions’ game against Madison High School on April 13.  Photo by Carrie Chisholm

Lions face tough teams in spring break tourney

• Joseph Haney

The Louisa Lions’ softball team rounded out their week in Myrtle Beach with the final three games of the Grand Strand Classic, taking on Madison High School, Beaver Area High School and Riverside High School.

The Lions faced Madion from Middlestown, Ohio on April 13, winning 10-1. Emily Gillespie struck out 17 batters in the circle, walking two and giving up two hits. Dara Sharpe led the offense, going 3 for 4 at the plate with a single, a double and a triple. She scored three runs and batted in four more.

Louisa faced Beaver Area high School from Beaver, Pennsylvania on April 14. The Lions fell 3-1, taking six hits off of Virginia Tech commited pitcher Payton List. Alyssa Hopkins and Maddos Pleasants each had two hits and Savannah Bragg and Arianna Taylor each had one. Sharpe scored the Lions’ lone run in the fifth inning.

Gillespie struck out 11 batters in the circle, giving up four hits.

The Lions closed out the week with a game against Riverside High School from Painesville, Ohio. Riverside won 9-0. the Beavers scored three runs in the second inning and added six more in the fourth.

Gillespie pitched the first two innings, striking out one batter. Pleasants took over from there, giving up four hits. Pleasants, Bragg and Kourtney Kidd each had a hit for the Lions.

“I really think we’d run out of gas by the time we played thsi game,” Coach Susan Sharpe said. “We were Riverside’s third game and they were our fifth and it showed. Emily gave us her best effort, but the four games caught up with us. Maddox came in and once she settled down, she was hitting her spots well.”

Looking back on the tournament Sharpe said she was “very pleased with how the team competed.”

“We go to this tournament to get better and see stronger competition and I feel we did that,” she said. “We faced a Virginia Tech commit, a defending state championhip team and one of the best private school programs in Virginia and we were competitive. Playing teams at that level should better prepare us for post season play.”

The Lions returned home on April 20 for a game against the Charlottesville Black Knights. Results of the game were unavailable at press time. They travel to Albemarle on April 21 and to Riverbend on April 22 for a pair of road games. Thursday’s game starts at 6 p.m. and Friday’s game begins at 7 p.m.

LOUISA 21, CHARLOTTESVILLE 0

 Dara Sharpe went 3 for 4 with a double, two home runs, three runs scored and six RBIs in the Lions' Jefferson District romp.

Dara Sharpe eyes a pitch during the Lions' game against Vestal on April 12. Photo by Carrie Chisholm.

Softball splits opening games of Grand Strand Classic

• Joseph Haney

•  Apr 14, 2022

The Louisa Lions softball team traveled to Myrtle Beach over spring break to compete in the Grand Strand Classic Tournament. The Lions split their first games of the tournament, falling 1-0 in the opening game on Aprill 11 before bouncing back with a 6-5 win on April 12.

The Lions took on Greenbrier Christian Academy from Chesapeake in their first game, battling through eight scoreless innings before Greenbrier got a run in the ninth to clinch the game. Emily Gillespie threw a no-hitter for the Lions, striking out 13 batters. On offense, Dara Sharpe, Alyssa Hopkins, Maddox Pleasants and Savannah Bragg each had a hit for the Lions.

“We need to be disciplined at the plate and swing at good pitches,” said coach Susan Sharpe. “Emily does a great job keeping us in games. We need to do a better job of giving her run support.”

That’s what the Lions did in their second outing of the tournament, against Vestal High School from Vestal, New York. After three scoreless innings, Kourtney Kidd got the Lions on the board with a two-run RBI single in the top of the fourth, plating Dara Sharpe and Hopkins and putting Louisa up 2-0.

The Lions added to their lead in the fifth, with Sharpe notching a two RBI triple, getting Bragg and Mallory Greslick home. Hopkins hit a double to plate Sharpe and then scored the Lions final run on a single from Gillespie. After five innings, the Lions led 6-0.

Vestal put up four runs in the sixth to cut into the Lions’ lead, then added one more in the seventh, but Louisa was able to hold them there and come out on top.

“Our bats came around today and that should give them confidence going into tomorrow,” Coach Sharpe said.

Gillespie struck out 10 batters in the circle and gave up six hits. Dara Sharpe led the Lions’ offense with two hits, while Kidd, Hopkins, Pleasants and Gillespie each had one.

The Lions took on Madison High School for their third game on April 13. Results of the game were unavailable at press time. They close out their tournament with games against Beaver Area High School and Riverside High School on April 14 and 15 respecitvely. Both games begin at 8 a.m.

Emily Gillespie pitched a strong 6 2/3 innings and Kourtney Kidd and Dara Sharpe had clutch at-bats to help Louisa post at 6-5 victory against Vestal (N.Y.) in the Grand Strand Softball Classic in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Tuesday.

Kidd’s two-out, two-RBI single gave Louisa the initial lead. In the fifth inning, a two-run triple by Sharpe was followed by singles from Alyssa Hopkins and Emily Gillespie that put the Lions in control.

Louisa was scheduled to face Madison (Ohio) later Tuesday night.

SOFTBALL

LOUISA 10, MADISON 1

Emily Gillespie struck out 17 batters and allow no earned runs to help Louisa top Madison Middletown (Ohio) at the Grand Strand Softball tournament in Myrtle Beach.

Dara Sharpe was 3 for 4, finished a homer short of a cycle, while adding four RBIs and three runs scored for the Lions.

BEAVER AREA 3, LOUISA 1

Emily Gillespie struck out 10, Virginia Tech commit Payton List and Beaver Area (Pa.) earned the win at the Grand Strand Softball tournament in Myrtle Beach.

Dara Sharpe singled, moved up on a passed ball, then scored on a single by Alyssa Hopkins in the fifth for the Lions’ lone run. Madison Pleasants finished 2 for 4.

SOFTBALL

GREENBRIER 1, LOUISA 0

Emily Gillespie tossed a no hitter on the mound for Louisa, but the Lions fell 1-0 to Greenbrier Christian Academy in nine innings at the Grand Strand Softball Classic in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Monday.

Maddox Pleasants, Alyssa Hopkins and Savannah Bragg each had a hit for Louisa, which continues play in the tournament on Tuesday. 

Centerfielder Lydia Gillespie makes a play during the Lions’ home game against Orange on April 5.

Lions split pitcher’s duels

• Joseph Haney

•  Apr 7, 2022

The Louisa Lions’ softball team split a pair of pitcher’s duels, falling to the Orange County Hornets 1-0 at home on April 5 and defeating the Monticello Mustangs 2-0 in extra innings on March 30.

The home contest saw Louisa pitcher Emily Gillespie strike out 12 batters in the circle, giving up four hits for the night. Orange’s Hannah Hearl also gave up four hits to the Lions.

“[Pitcher’s duels] seem to be our style this year,” said coach Susan Sharpe. “Emily ... is fun to call pitches for. Nobody’s perfect, but she rarely misses, and when she misses, it doesn’t hurt.”

The game was scoreless throughout the first six innings, despite both teams getting runners into scoring position multiple times. A bunt from Aniya Bright in the top of the seventh with one out advanced two Orange runners, before Alyssa Hopkins’ toss to first deflected off Bright’s helmet, allowing pinch-runner Ayla Fincham to score the Hornets’ lone run.

“We need to figure out how to score runs,” Sharpe said. “I don’t care how we do it, we just need to figure out how to do it.

“We need to be disciplined at the plate,” she added. “That will help us.”

The Lions had better luck against the Monticello Mustangs on March 30, picking up a pair of runs late in the game to win 2-0. Gillespie struck out 18 batters for the Lions as she and the defense worked to keep the Mustangs off the board. 

The score remained tied 0-0 after the regulation seven innings, and through an eighth and ninth inning before the Lions got a bit of offensive momentum in the top of the 10th inning.

Maddox Pleasants got on base with a single to right field, then reached third on an error that got Emma McGehee on first. Pleasants took advantage of a wild pitch two pitches later, getting to home plate for the Lions’ first run. McGehee made it to third on the same pitch, then scored on another wild pitch later in the inning.

Pleasants led the Lions at the plate, going 2-for-4. Dara Sharpe was 1-for-4 for the night.

The Lions (3-1) travel to Riverbend for a non-district game on April 8, then head to Myrtle Beach next week for the Grand Strand Classic Tournament. They kick off their week of action with a game against Greenbriar Christian Academy on April 11.

MINERAL — Heading into Tuesday’s Jefferson District showdown in Mineral, both Orange County’s Hannah Hearl and Louisa County’s Emily Gillespie had not given up a run this season.

Hearl extended her scoreless streak to 35 innings and the Hornets used a seventh-inning rally to secure a 1-0 victory over the Lions to improve to 5-0 on the season.

“It was a great duel out there,” Hearl said. “Our bats weren’t working very well in the beginning, but we got them going late. We just tried to stay confident and we came through in the end.”

Gillespie was dealing early on for Louisa, striking out the first two batters she faced before Haley Martin roped a triple to the wall in right field. The extra base hit didn’t rattle Gillespie, who retired the next batter on strikes to get out of the jam for Louisa County (3-1, 3-1 Jefferson District).

Hearl also responded after allowing a runner to reach base early in the game. After Savannah Bragg singled off her glove to start the game, the sophomore struck out the next three batters to strand a runner at second and end the inning for Orange County (5-0, 2-0).

The two aces combined for 17 strikeouts through the first four innings, including nine from Gillespie, as neither team’s offense could get going.

Hearl allowed three hits through six innings and tallied 11 strikeouts thanks to a devastating breaking pitch. Not to be outdone, Gillespie was just as impressive as she scattered three hits and fanned 12 batters through six scoreless innings.

But Orange rallied in the seventh, putting runners on first and second with one out. After Raniya Bright laid down a perfect bunt to advance the runners, Alyssa Hopkins’ throw to first deflected off of Bright’s helmet, allowing pinch-runner Ayla Fincham to score for a 1-0 lead.

Louisa County didn’t go quietly, however.

Hopkins ripped a fastball over the centerfielder’s head to get into scoring position with one out. But Hearl settled down and struck out the next batter and Bright caught Lydia Gillespie’s pop-up at second to end the game.

Hearl posted 13 strikeouts and allowed just four hits to improve her record to 4-0 on the season. She also tallied a pair of hits at the plate.

Emily Gillespie gave up one run on four hits and struck out 12 in the circle for the Lions.

Bright believes this victory will only make the team stronger.

“This gives us so much confidence, “ she said. “They are a very good team and so are we and we were happy to come out with a win.”

Louisa softball edges Monticello in 10-inning marathon

March 31, 2022by Scrimmage Play

Louisa County’s Emily Gillespie and Monticello’s Katie O’Connor just went at it Wednesday night in an extra innings softball clash.

 Behind 18 strikeouts and just two hits allowed by Gillespie, the Lions prevailed 2-0 over the Mustangs, but Louisa had to overcome 22 strikeouts by O’Connor, who allowed just two hits in the 10-inning marathon. 

The game was deadlocked at 0-0 after an extra eighth and ninth inning, and then Maddie Pleasants singled for Louisa to lead off the top of the tenth. After an error, Pleasants advanced to third, then scored on a passed ball. O’Connor settled back in and came up with another strikeout, then struck out the next batter as well. Another passed ball at the plate though allowed Emma McGehee, who’d reached on the error that advanced Pleasants to third. 

That gave Louisa and Gillespie a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 10th and Gillespie struck out the side to secure the win for the Lions. 

Pleasants went 2-for-4 on the night for Louisa and Dara Sharpe went 1-for-4. Kaitlyn Willis had both hits for Monticello on a 2-for-4 night. 

Louisa returns to action Tuesday against Orange County while Monticello heads to spring break and will return to action April 12 on the road at Fluvanna. 

LOUISA 2, MONTICELLO 0

Emily Gillespie struck out 18 in a one-hit shutout and Louisa scratched out two runs on 10th-inning wild pitches in a Jefferson District win over the Mustangs.

Louisa 000 000 00002 ­— 2 4 2

Monticello 000 000 000 0 ­— 0 1 1

EMILY GILLESPIE and Alyssa Hopkins. KATY O’CoONNOR and Sammi Dietsch.

Louisa sluggers shut out Fluvanna, Western in first games of season

• Emily Gillespie winds up for a pitch during the Lions’ season opener against Fluvanna on March 17. Gillespie struck out 17 batters in that game, then added 14 strikeouts in the Lions’ March 22 contest against Western Albemarle

• Joseph Haney

•  1 hr ago

• Louisa pitcher Emily Gillespie was a force to be reckoned with in the circle, striking out 17 of the 24 batters she faced in a two-hit shutout as the Lions defeated the Fluvanna Flucos 1-0 in their season opener on March 17.

“She exceeded our expectations,” said Coach Susan Sharpe. “She was very in control of her pitches and they were moving like they were supposed to move. As the game went on, you could see that she was getting more relaxed and having a good time.”

Gillespie set the tone for the game by striking out the first three batters in order in the top of the first, then struck out two in each subsequent inning. She gave up two hits and walked one, but only one Fluco runner made it past first base.

“I felt really confident throughout the entire game, knowing that [my teammates] will have my back,” Gillespie said. “This is a really great start for the season and gives me confidence for our upcoming games.”

The Lions’ lone run came in the fifth. Savannah Bragg reached first on a fielder’s choice, then made it to second on a bunt from Dara Sharpe. Both runners stole a pair of bases, with Bragg scoring the winning run. Sharpe was caught stealing home for the inning’s second out. 

Sharpe was three for three with two hits. Emma McGhee added one hit for the Lions.

“We work on hitting a lot, so I’m a little disappointed that we didn’t hit any better than we did,” Coach Sharpe said. “It’s a process. We’ve got some bad habits to break and they’re working on it.”

The Lions picked up their first road win on March 22, defeating the Western Albemarle Warriors 11-0. Gillespie lit up the circle again, striking out 14 batters over the six innings. She also went four-for-four at the plate, notching two doubles, a triple and a single. She tallied six RBIs and scored three runs. Dara Sharpe was three-for-four at the plate with two singles, a triple, one RBI and three runs.

“This was a fun game to watch,” Coach Sharpe said. “The girls were really relaxed and just had fun. The team made great adjustments at the plate, and even though Emily controlled most of the game defensively, when the ball was put in play we were on our toes and ready to make plays.”

The Lions hit the road again on March 31, traveling to Monticello High School to take on the Mustangs. Action starts at 6 p.m.

LOUISA 11, WESTERN ALBEMARLE 0

Emily Gillespie struck out 14 in a one-hit shutout and went 4 for 4 with two doubles, a triple and six RBIs as the Lions earned a Jefferson was District road win.

Dara Sharpe was 3 for 4 at the plate and scored three runs for Louisa.

JEFFERSON DISTRICT

LOUISA

Coach: Susan Sharpe

Last season: 10–2

Top returnees: Jr. SS Dara Sharpe, So, 2B Savannah Bragg, Jr. P Emily Gillespie.

Top newcomer: Fr. C Alyssa Hopkins.

Outlook: The Lions barely missed out on regional play last season and have several key players back, including Gillespie who posted an 0.81 ERA in 2021.

• FROM STAFF REPORTS

•  13 hrs ago

SOFTBALL

LOUISA 1, FLUVANNA 0

Emily Gillespie struck out 17 in a complete-game two-hit shutout, and Dara Sharpe went 3 for 3 at the plate in the Lions’ home opener.

Lions gearing up for softball season

Joseph Haney

The Louisa Lions softball team is back on the field and getting ready for their first full season since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“It’s going to feel weird, but in a good way,” said coach Susan Sharpe. “It’s been unfortunate for these kids because they have been slighted the past two seasons, with one season not even happening. I hope they’re as anxious to get going as I am.”

Junior Dara Sharpe, who made the 2020 varsity team as a freshman, said she’s both “very excited and very nervous” about playing a full varsity season for the first time.

“Especially with changing regions, we’re going to see some stuff we haven’t seen before, but I think it will be a good experience,” she said.

Sharpe is one of eight returning players from the 2021 varsity roster, along with seniors Ali Downey, Lydia Gillespie, Lilly Jordan, Emma McGehee and Maddox Pleasants, junior Emily Gillespie and sophomore Savannah Bragg.

Emily Gillespie will be handling most of the pitching for the Lions this season, having seen time in the circle in most of the games last year. 

“I’m a little nervous, but I’m confident that I can do it, and I know that the team will have my back if too many balls get hit,” she said.

McGhee, Bragg and Pleasants will be covering first, second and third base respectively and Sharpe will be playing shortstop this season. Behind the plate, freshman Alyssa Hopkins takes over as catcher from Emily Hall, who graduated in the class of 2021.

Rounding out the roster are juniors Arianna Taylor, Emily Chisholm and Katelyn Foster, sophomore Mallory Greslick and freshman Kourtney Kidd. Most of the new players will play outfield, along with Downey and Lydia Gillespie, with some maybe seeing some time in the infield. Chisholm, for example, will see some time at third, and Kidd is a player Coach Sharpe says she “can put pretty much anywhere.”

“She had a good tryout and I’m pleased with how she’s improved from last year,” she said.

Though the season is just getting started, things are already clicking between the veteran varsity players and the new blood. 

“We’ve been together for so long that I think it just gels automatically,” Downey said. “I think this year, just already looking at positions and field play, we’re going to do well.” 

The Lions have been putting in the work in the offseason to help get ready for this year, including early mornings in the weight room.

“The majority of the team has been in the weight room at 6:30 in the morning three days a week since December,” Coach Sharpe said. “That says a lot about their desire. How many kids show up at the weight room at 6:30 on a Monday morning? They did, and it’s shown.”

While the Lions’ schedule for the regular season will consist primarily of teams from the Jefferson District, once postseason play begins they will face a new slate of teams with the move to Region D.

“I’m excited,” Pleasants said. “It’s always good to have something a little bit different. It always challenges you to do better. It’s still the same old game, but it’s just a reminder that we have to keep learning every day.” 

The Lions open their season on March 17 with a home contest against the Fluvanna Flucos. Action begins at 6:30 p.m.

Softball player commits to college

• Joseph Haney

•  Jan 20, 2022 

Maddox Pleasants (center) signs her letter of intent to play softball for the Montreat College Cavaliers during a ceremony held at Louisa County High School on Jan. 12. Pleasants was joined by her father Michael (seated, l-r), sister Bennett and mother Kerrie, as well as LCHS softball coach Susan Sharpe and Montreat College softball coach Heather Maston.

 Louisa County High School senior Maddox Pleasants is taking her softball skills to the next level, signing a letter of intent to play for the Montreat College Cavaliers at a signing ceremony held at LCHS on Jan. 12.

“This has been my dream since I was seven years old and I first stepped onto a ball field,” she said. “It feels good to know that I’ve accomplished a dream that I’ve had for so long.” 

Pleasants has primarily played third base for the Louisa Lions, but she also has experience in the pitcher’s circle and in other positions around the field, making her a very versatile player for whatever team she’s on.

“We put her in a couple different positions when she practiced with us and she just rolled with it,” said Montreat softball coach Heather Maston. “She was excited about it. That’s the kind of attitude we want. She’s good in the classroom, she’s good on the field and we’re excited to have her.” 

Pleasants says she chose Montreat, not just for the softball team, but for the college environment it offers.

“The people I met there felt like family,” she said. “I loved the campus and the values of the school. I thought it would be good for me moving forward.”

Louisa softball coach Susan Sharpe praised Pleasants’ work ethic, citing that as a large part of her being able to play at the next level. 

“You don’t have to be on the big showcase teams in the summer,” she said. “You just have to have the right work ethic, you have to know what your goals are and you have to work hard to achieve them, and that’s Maddox. I can confidently say that there will not be a kid [at Montreat] who will out-work her.”

Pleasants was grateful to be able to share this milestone with the friends, family and coaches who have supported her along the way.

“It feels good to have such a big support system,” she said. “My family has always been a great support and I wouldn’t be here without them.”

2021 All Central Virginia softball team

• John Harvey

•  Jul 30, 2021

Player of the Yea Hannah Hearl, Orange County

Hearl showcased talent well beyond her years as she helped lead Orange County to the Jefferson District title and a berth in the Region 4B championship game. The hurler was dominant in the circle for the Hornets, boasting a 10-1 record with a 0.65 ERA while surrendering just six earned runs all season. She struck out an eye-popping 122 batters in 64.1 innings of work and held opposing hitters to a .138 batting average. At the plate, she hit .300 with 12 hits and drove in 13 runs.

First team

Pitchers

Brie Tyler, Louisa County

Tyler posted an 8-2 record and a 0.90 ERA this season for the Lions. The Norfolk State University signee surrendered just five earned runs on 22 hits and struck out 60 in 39 innings of work. At the plate, she hit .333 with a team-high three home runs and a pair of stolen bases.

Katie O’Connor, Monticello

O’Connor posted a 7-5 mark with a 1.68 ERA to help the Mustangs earn a Region 3C tournament berth. She struck out 111 batters in 50 innings of work and allowed just 14 walks. At the plate, she hit .333 with 14 runs scored.

Avery Shifflett, William Monroe

She led the Greene Dragons in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts en route to another successful postseason run. Shifflett was a first team all-Northwestern District selection.

Catcher

Reese Rogers, Orange County

Rogers batted .400 with 14 RBI. She finished the season with 14 hits, including seven doubles, and scored 18 runs for the Hornets. Defensively, she didn’t commit an error all season.

Hayley Shifflett, Monticello

Shifflett led the Mustangs with a .441 batting average to go along with four home runs and 19 RBI. She tallied five doubles and three triples and scored 16 runs. She will play softball at George Mason University.

Braelyn Via, Fluvanna County

Via ranked among the team leaders in hits and RBI and had a knack for coming through with a clutch hit. She was also stout defensively and had a terrific arm behind the plate that neutralized opposing running games.

Emily Hall, Louisa County

Hall batted .455 with a team-high 20 hits and 20 runs scored in 12 games batting out of the cleanup spot. She ended the season with a perfect fielding percentage and threw out a pair of potential base-stealers. She will play at Mary Baldwin University next year.

First base

Jachelle Mosley, Orange County

Mosley batted .568 with a home run and 12 RBI. She collected 21 hits, including 10 doubles, and scored 17 runs for a very balanced Hornets lineup.

MaKenzie Turner, Monticello

Despite missing multiple games because of a COVID-19 quarantine, Turner managed to hit .375 with a home run and four RBI.

Second base

Kennon Burnett, Orange County

Burnett batted .333 with a home run and eight RBI. She finished the season with 15 hits, including a pair of doubles, and scored 15 runs as the team’s leadoff hitter.

Dara Sharpe, Louisa County

Sharpe led the Lions with a .481 average in 12 games. She finished the season with 16 runs scored and eight RBI and a four-game hitting streak. Defensively, Sharpe had a .923 fielding percentage and committed just one error.

Shortstop

Raniya Bright, Orange County

Bright led Orange County with an eye-popping .600 batting average this season to go along with six RBI. She finished the season with 21 hits, including a pair of doubles and two triples, and 16 runs scored.

Haley Rosson, Louisa County

Rosson batted .333 with four RBI and 11 runs scored from her cleanup position. Defensively, she was just as outstanding, posting a .938 fielding percentage.

Brooke Napier, Fluvanna County

Napier was among the team leaders in hits, RBI and runs scored. In addition, the slick-fielding shortstop made all the plays in the middle of the diamond for the Flucos.

Third base

Maci Fayard, Orange County

Fayard batted .394 with three home runs and 15 RBI to give the Hornets another run-producer in the lineup. She tallied 13 hits, including six doubles, and scored 15 runs. Fayard had a knack for coming though with big hits in crucial situations.

Jerri Lynn Shull, Louisa County

Shull batted .406 with a home run and eight RBI. Defensively, she was sound, committing just three errors all season.

Outfield

Haley Martin, Orange County

Martin batted .350 with three home runs and drove in 15 runs. She finished with 14 hits, including five doubles, and scored 17 runs.

Olivia Chenault, Louisa County

Chenault started 12 games in center field and posted a .421 batting average with a team-high four triples and ranked second on the team in hits (16). She also posted a 12-game hitting streak. Defensively, Chenault completed the regular season with an unblemished fielding average.

Savannah Bragg, Louisa County

Bragg batted .393 and showed some pop with a pair of home runs and 13 RBI. She also led the team in stolen bases and ranked second on the team with 18 runs scored.

Utility

Kaitlyn Napier, William Monroe

Napier had a breakout season for William Monroe’s softball team this past spring. She was solid defensively and made the most of her opportunities at the plate, earning second team all-Northwestern District honors.

Emily Gillespie, Louisa County

Gillespie posted a 0.81 ERA and scattered three earned runs on six hits and struck out 54 in 26 innings of work. Offensively, she posted six hits and four RBI in limited opportunities.

Savannah Meade, William Monroe

Meade provided steady offense and was recognized for her excellence with second team all-Northwestern District honors.

2021 All-Jefferson District Softball

July 27, 2021by Bart Isley

Photo by John Berry

Due to complications from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jefferson District has elected not to pick all-district teams in sports this year. We’re stepping in to pick unofficial All-District teams, with significant input and nominations from coaches.

2021 All-Jefferson District Softball

Pitcher of the year: Hannah Hearl, Orange County

Player of the year: Hayley Shifflett, Monticello

Coach of the year: Neal Ferguson, Orange County

First Team

Pitcher: Hannah Hearl, Orange County

Pitcher: Brie Tyler, Louisa County

Pitcher: Katie O’Connor, Monticello

Catcher: Reese Rogers, Orange County

First base: Jachelle Mosley, Orange County

Second base: Dara Sharpe, Louisa County 

Third base: Maci Fayard, Orange County

Shortstop:  Haley Rosson, Louisa County

Outfield: Haley Martin, Orange County

Outfield: Olivia Chenault, Louisa County

Outfield: Karly Hance, Fluvanna County

Outfield: Hayley Shifflett, Monticello

Utility: Emily Hall, Louisa County 

Utility: Brooke Napier, Fluvanna County

Second Team

Pitcher: Emily Gillespie, Louisa County

Pitcher: Calista Marsh, Fluvanna County

Catcher: Braelyn Via, Fluvanna County

First base: MaKenzie Turner, Monticello

Second base: Kennon Burnett, Orange County

Third base: Jerri Shull, Louisa County

Shortstop: Raniya Bright, Orange County

Outfield: Savannah Bragg, Louisa County

Outfield: Caroline Perkins, Albemarle

Outfield: Hannah Varner, Western Albemarle

Utility: Brady Shifflett, Louisa County

Utility: Kaitlyn Willis, Monticello

Utility: Santrice Rush, Fluvanna County 

Utility: Sammi Deitsch, Monticello

Honorable Mention: Lindsey Ward, Fluvanna County; Kayleigh Knight, Fluvanna County; Harley Kirby, Monticello; Gabby Scarborough, Western Albemarle; Macy Miller, Western Albemarle; Emma Shifflett, Western Albemarle; Kasey Lamb, Charlottesville; Makailah Harmon, Albemarle; Amiya Kittlin, Albemarle; Madison Morris, Charlottesville; Juliet Gunter, Charlottesville

Free Lance Star All-Area softball capsules

• Jul 21, 2021year only $26

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ALISON CARTER North Stafford

The Virginia Tech-bound senior batted .348 in her fourth season as a starter and was named Commonwealth player of the year.

COACH OF THE YEAR

JOHN BARTON Brooke Point

He led the Black-Hawks to a 9-5 record, the Region 5D championship and a spot in the Class 5 state semifinals.

FIRST TEAM

PAIGE BACHMAN FCS

The Liberty-bound senior batted .421 with four homers and 21 RBIs and went 9-3 on the mound, striking out 104 in 67 1/3 innings.

ALYSSA BOSKET Stafford

The junior first baseman batted .438 en route to first team all-Commonwealth District recognition.

ANNALIESE FRANKLIN Mountain View

The all-Commonwealth District catcher batter .372 with a .449 OBP. Defensively, she had a perfect fielding percentage.

HANNAH HEARL Orange

The Hornets’ freshman pitcher posted a 10-0 regular-season record and batted .347 for the season.

JAYLA HILL Caroline

The senior outfielder batted .484 with three home runs and 10 stolen bases for the Cavaliers.

RONNI HOWARD Courtland

Bound for Division I Marist (N.Y.) University, she slugged her 10th career home run as a senior.

COURTNEY JAMISON Riverbend

The senior outfielder batted a team-best .513 in helping the Bears reach the Region 6B championship game.

BRENNA MOREFIELD Massaponax

The senior outfielder batted .396 with 18 stolen bases and no errors in winning a first-team all-district nod.

LAUREN SHEEHAN King George

The Foxes’ senior outfielder hit .500 with 11 RBIs, 14 runs scored and no errors in the field all season.

BROOKE SHELTON Brooke Point

The senior all-district shortstop batted .391 with 11 RBIs and made just one error all season for the state semifinalist.

MACKENZIE SNELL Riverbend

The senior all-district shortstop batted .395 and had a .979 fielding percentage for the season for the Bears.

SECOND TEAM

Madison Bachman, FCS: Sophomore batted .542, scored 23 runs and stole 12 bases without being caught.

Kate Braden, Spotsylvania: Freshman batted ,441 while splitting time between short and catcher.

Laney Deane, Massaponax: The freshman catcher batted .439 with three homers and 17 RBIs.

Kaylee DeJesus, Riverbend: First-team all-Commonwealth outfielder batted .400 for the Bears.

Caleigh Eberhart, Mountain View: Senior outfielder was a first-team all-Commonwealth District pick with no errors on defense.

Cierra Foss, Brooke Point: Senior batted .367 and struck out 59 batters in 57 innings on the mound.

Phoebe Hughes, North Stafford: Sophomore catcher batted .600 and made just two errors all season.

Riley Johnson, FCS: Highly regarded eighth-grader hit .571 with seven triples, four homers and 16 steals.

Payton Kilmer, Massaponax: The senior struck out 74 batters in 44 innings and compiled an ERA of 1.84 in 2021.

Kendal Morgan, King George: Foxes’ sophomore hit .500 (.727 with runners in scoring position) with 11 RBIs.

Carley Romine, Riverbend: The senior was 6-2, including a no-hitter, with a 2.87 ERA for the season.

Kaylee Small, Stafford: Sophomore second baseman batted .324, was named first-team all-district.

HONORABLE MENTION

Aby Brown, Culpeper

Sarah Bourne, Stafford

Nyla Brown, Spotsylvania

Sydney Brown, Spotsylvania

Madelyn Chambers, Brooke Point

Olivia Chenault, Louisa

Abigail Clarke, King George

Emily Collins, Massaponax

Brianna Correa, Brooke Point

Myah Croson, Brooke Point

Paige Eagleton, Stafford

Camryn Digiacomo, Riverbend

Jada Estrada, Courtland

Layne Fritz, Mountain View

Kamryn Gray, Caroline

Abigail Greenwood, King George

Nia Hall, Massaponax

Emily Hall, Louisa

Roxane Hensel, Riverbend

Kaitlyn Johnson, Caroline

Katie Kearns, Brooke Point

Mylia Knight, Spotsylvania

Trinity Lamberton, Riverbend

Teagan Levesque, Mountain View

Hailey Linder, King George

Hannah Linder, King George

Haley Martin, Orange

Cassie Miller, FCS

Alexis Payne, Caroline

Annalise Pudimott, Mountain View

Taylor Puig, Riverbend

Anali Reyna, Stafford

Reese Rodgers, Orange

Hannah Rubino, Riverbend

Katie Scott, Eastern View

Dara Sharpe, Louisa

Madison Sobota, King George

Madison Taylor, Caroline

Allison Thrift, Courtland

Kylie Thuot, Brooke Point

Kristina Tolson, Stafford

Brie Tyler, Louisa

Brooke Vaillancourt, Massaponax

Scarlett Whitaker, FCS

Sydney Whitaker, FCS

Jordan Yule, Stafford

Haley Rosson safely crosses home plate during the Lions’ home game against Western Albemarle, while teammate Olivia Chenault looks on.

Softball scores trio of wins

• Joseph Haney

Haley Rosson safely crosses home plate during the Lions’ home game against Western Albemarle, while teammate Olivia Chenault looks on.

 The Louisa Lions’ softball team picked up a home win over Western Albemarle and defeated Monticello and Charlottesville on the road to bring their season record to 9-2.

The Lions defeated the Western Albemarle Warriors 17-0 on June 8. Savannah Bragg scored in the first inning to get the Lions on the scoreboard, then they got things moving in the second inning, putting up 11 runs.

Bragg, Dara Sharpe and Brooke Vincze each scored twice, while Emily Hall, Brady Shifflett, Brie Tyler, and Haley Rosson each scored once. Chenault and Jerri Shull each had a two-run RBI during the Lions’ surge.

The Lions kept the momentum going in the third, with Vincze and Chenault each scoring again. Emily Gillespie and Lilly Jordan also put up runs for the Lions in the fourth, and Gillespie scored again in the fifth to round out the scoring.

“They did a good job hitting strikes,” said Head Coach Susan Sharpe. “They didn’t have as many opportunities to hit because there were a lot of walks and a few hit-by-pitches as well, but they were swinging well at good pitches, so that’s a step in the right direction.”

Chenault led the Lions with three hits, while Bragg, Gillespie, Jordan, Rosson, Shull and Vincze each had one. Tyler and Gillespie both put in time in the circle, striking out a combined 10 batters.

The Lions traveled to Monticello on June 7, bringing home a 2-0 victory over the Mustangs. Tyler got things going in the fourth inning with a solo home run to get the Lions on the board.

“Off the bat we knew it was going over [the fence], and we were just waiting to see how far it went,” Sharpe said. 

The Lions extended their lead in the fifth inning, with Brady Shifflett scoring on a RBI from Dara Sharpe. Sharpe led the offense with two hits, while Tyler, Shifflett, Hall and Shull each added one.

Tyler pitched all seven innings for the Lions, striking out 12 batters and giving up three hits. 

"She definitely commanded the field,” Coach Sharpe said. “Her pitches were moving and she was lights-out in the circle.”

On June 2, the Lions traveled to Charlottesville, dominating the game against the Black Knights with a 29-0 win.

The Lions set the tone for the game in the first inning, scoring seven runs. Shifflett, Bragg, Hall, Rosson, Vincze, Chenault and Maddox Pleasants each scored for the Lions in the inning. They kept the momentum going in the second. Vincze batted in Rosson, then Chenault notched a two-run RBI, plating Vincze and Pleasants to put the Lions up 10-0.

Things exploded for Louisa in the third, with the Lions putting up 13 runs. Hall got things started with a three-run homer, plating Sharpe and Shull. Hall, along with Tyler and Jordan would score twice in the inning, with Pleasants, Chenault, Aly Downey, Emily Gillespie and Lydia Gillespie all scoring once.

Downey, Hall, Shull and Tyler each crossed the plate in the fourth, with Tyler notching a two-run homer. Chenault and Downey crossed the plate in the fifth to round out the scoring.

The Lions totaled 21 hits throughout the night. Hall led the Lions with four, followed by Pleasants, Chenault and Shull with three each. Emily Gillespie added two and Shifflett, Sharpe, Rosson, Downey, Tyler and Lydia Gillespie each had one.

Pleasants handled pitching duties for the night, striking out seven batters and giving up one hit.

“She hasn’t pitched a game in over a year, but she’s been throwing in practice and deserved an opportunity,” Coach Sharpe said. “She has a different style than Brie and Emily [Gillespie] but she keeps the ball low and causes lots of ground balls and pop-ups.”

The Lions close out their regular season on June 10, hosting the Fluvanna Flucos. Action begins at 6 p.m.

Brie's First off the Field interview with Scrimmage Play (copy and paste the link)

https://twitter.com/scrimmageplay/status/1402052795084292097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3Ascrimmageplay%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3R3ZWV0X2VtYmVkX2NsaWNrYWJpbGl0eV8xMjEwMiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250cm9sIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scrimmageplaycva.com%2Farticles%2Fstories%2Ftyler-shines-against-monticello-as-louisa-softball-wins-a-pair-of-games-to-start-week%2F

Tyler shines against Monticello as Louisa softball wins a pair of games to start week

June 9, 2021by Bart Isley

Photo by Bart Isley

Louisa County softball is trying to fight its way into the Region 4B playoffs, which means every single game counts. 

Lucky for the Lions, they’ve got Brie Tyler lining up for them. 

 “She had a very good night, her pitches were moving like they’re supposed to move and the home run, as soon as it was off the bat you knew it was over,” said Louisa coach Susan Sharpe. “You just weren’t quite sure how far it was going to go but you knew it was going to go a long way.”

 Tyler cracked a solo home run in the fourthand struck out 12 in the circle to vault the Lions to a 2-0 victory over Monticello Monday night. The Lions then cruised past Western 17-0 Tuesday as they try and make a push for the playoffs in a loaded Region 4B. They’ll face Fluvanna County Thursday, a game that could be a must-win for Louisa to have a shot at the playoffs.

 “We have seven seniors on this team and they’ve been playing together since they were nine — just a ton of talent, they love each other to pieces and it shows,” Sharpe said. “They’ll do anything for each other.”

Against the Mustangs, it was the Tyler show as the senior hurler worked over the Mustangs’ lineup, scattering three hits while not allowing a single walk. Tyler’s movement was getting the job done.

“I was just working on mechanics, going through what my pitching coach has taught me and making sure my release point was good and my pitches were working,” Tyler said. “That was a big part of this game, was that my pitches were moving.”

The Mustangs countered with Katie O’Connor who was impressive with nine strikeouts and just a single earned run while walking two, but Tyler got the better of her in a critical head-to-head matchup in the fourth with the solo shot that held up as the game-winner with a dash of help from an error in the fifth on Dara Sharpe’s fly ball that scored Brady Shifflett. 

“In my head I was thinking I’ve got to get my foot down early and drive my hips to the ball and that’s exactly what I did,” Tyler said. “It was an inside pitch and that’s usually my weakness but I got the results.”

Louisa catcher Emily Hall went 2-for-4 for the Lions in the win over the Mustangs.

In the blowout win over Western Albemarle Tuesday night, Louisa got a strong outing from Jerri Lynn Shull at the plate as she knocked in a pair of runs. Savannah Bragg got on base in all three of her plate appearances by drawing a pair of walks and hitting once and went on to score three runs. Olivia Chenault went 2-for-4 and scored twice while Dara Sharpe stole three bases. Brooke Vincze had a pair of steals.

Emily Gillespe scored twice and struck out seven in relief of Tyler who struck out three in two innings of work. 

The Lions (9-2) will square off with Fluvanna County Thursday to wrap up the regular season.  

Dara Sharpe makes a play at first during the Lions’ home game against  the Orange County Hornets on June 1.

Softball splits district games

• Joseph Haney

 The Louisa Lions’ softball team hosted the Orange County Hornets on June 1, coming up short 4-2.

The Hornets got on the board with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth, but the Lions found their answer in the fifth inning. Brady Shifflett got on base after getting hit by a pitch, then reached second on a sacrifice bunt from Brooke Vincze. Olivia Chenault hit a single to move Shifflett to third, then Dara Sharpe plated both runners with an RBI single, tying the game 2-2.

Orange put up two more runs in the seventh, and this time the Lions couldn’t come up with an answer.

“It was pretty much the same as when we played them [at Orange],” said Coach Susan Sharpe. “We just didn’t make adjustments at the plate soon enough. It seemed like we were trying to do too much at the plate. We just needed to string together some singles; we didn’t need a home run, and it felt like they were trying to take it all on themselves.”

The Lions totaled four hits on offense. Dara Sharpe had two and Chenault and Savannah Bragg each had one.

The Lions had better luck when they traveled to Albemarle on May 27, scoring a 21-1 victory over the Patriots.

Louisa got things moving early in the game, putting up six runs in the first inning.Emily Hall knocked out a three-run RBI triple, plating Bragg, Sharpe and Jerri Shull to get the Lions on the scoreboard. Haley Rosson, Vincze and Shifflett all crossed the plate before the inning was over.

The Lions kept their offensive momentum going in the second inning. Shull scored on an error, then Emily Gillespie batted in Hall and Rosson with a triple, extending Louisa’s lead to 9-0. Shifflett, Bragg, Sharpe, Shull and Chenault also scored for Louisa, making the score 14-0 at the end of the inning.

Albemarle scored their lone run in the bottom of the third, and the Lions continued to add to their score in the top of the fourth. Maddox Pleasants was hit by a pitch, then stole second before getting batted in on a triple from Hall. Gillespie got Hall in, then Vincze scored, boosting the Lions to 17-1. Pleasants, Hall, Gillespie and Ali Downey each crossed the plate in the fifth for a final score of 21-1.

“This was a complete team effort,” said Coach Sharpe. “The team made good adjustments at the plate, and it was another outing where everyone got a chance to play. It’s a good feeling going into games knowing I have 15 quality players on my roster.”

Hall led the offense with four hits, followed by Chenault with three. Vincze added two and Bragg, Downey, Gillespie, Pleasants, Shifflett and Shull each added one. Gillespie pitched all five innings for the Lions, striking out 13 batters, walking one and giving up two hits.

The Lions traveled to Charlottesville on June 2 to take on the Black Knights. Results were unavailable at press time. They head to Monticello on June 3, then host the Western Albemarle Warriors on June 8. Both games begin at 6 p.m.

Brooke Vincze crosses home plate during the Lions’ first inning surge against Albemarle on May 20. Vincze scored two runs for the Lions throughout the game, notched two hits and one RBI.

Lions explode early against Patriots at home

• Joseph Haney

The Louisa Lions’ softball team put up 11 runs in the first inning of their home game agiainst Albemarle on May 20, going on to defeat the Patriots 13-0.

Savannah Bragg got the Lions on the board early in the inning, followed shortly by Dara Sharpe, who scored on a RBI single from Brie Tyler. Haley Rosson hit a triple to plate Tyler, then scored on a single from Brooke Vincze, putting the Lions up 4-0. 

Olivia Chenault plated Brady Shifflett with an RBI double and Vincze and Chenault both scored on wild pitches to boost their lead to 7-0. Bragg and Sharpe scored again, both reaching home on a double from Jerri Lynn Shull. Shull crossed the plate on an RBI single from Emily Hall, who rounded out the inning’s scoring by crossing the plate after Shifflett was hit by a pitch.

The Lions added a pair of runs later in the game. Maddox Pleasants scored in the third inning, reaching home on a sacrifice fly from Emily Gillespie, and Vincze scored her second run of the game in the fourth, with Ali Downey batting her in.

Tyler and Gillespie combined for a no-hitter in the circle, with Tyler striking out three batters and Gillespie striking out 10.

“Brie and Emily dominated in the circle, and when people can’t get hits off of them, that makes it easier,” said Head Coach Susan Sharpe. “Offensively, I would have liked to see us make adjustments to the slower pitching, because we knew that’s what we were going to face, but we were walked seven times and hit by [a] pitch four [times], so we didn’t have a lot of opportunities to hit the ball. But, overall, I like games where everyone gets to play.”

Vincze notched two hits for the Lions, whie Tyler, Rosson, Chenault, Hall and Shull each had one. 

The Lions are back at home for their next game, hosting the Orange County Hornets on June 1. Action begins at 6 p.m.

Jerri Lynn Shull hit a two-run homer in the first inning of the Lions' game against Fluvanna on May 13. File Photo

Louisa sluggers travel to Fluvanna

• Joseph Haney

The Louisa County High School softball team shut out the Fluvanna Flucos 9-0 on May 13 to improve their season record to 4-1.

The Lady Lions wasted no time in setting the tone for the game, putting up five runs in the first inning. Savannah Bragg scored the first run, followed by Dara Sharpe and Brie Tyler both scoring on an RBI single from Emily Hall. Jerri Shull put one over the fence for a two-run homer to close out the inning. 

They kept things going in the second. Olivia Chenault hit a triple, and was then plated by Bragg, who scored her second run of the game later in the inning, extending Louisa’s lead to 7-0. 

Following a scoreless third inning, the Lions added to their lead in the fourth. Tyler walked, then advanced to third on a double from Hall. A sacrifice fly from Haley Rosson scored Tyler and Shull plated Hall to round out the scoring.

Shull and Hall led the Lions’ offense with a pair of hits apiece. Bragg, Chenault, Sharpe, Lilly Jordan, Maddox Pleasants and Brooke Vincze each added one. In the circle, Tyler pitched all seven innings, striking out eight batters and throwing a no-hitter until the sixth when the Flucos picked up a pair of hits.

“Overall, it was a great performance from the team,” said Head Coach Susan Sharpe. “They made quick adjustments at the plate and hit the ball really well. This team is really fun to watch and is probably the most selfless team I have ever been involved with. They have a strong bond and it is showing more and more each time they step onto the field. They play for each other and that comes from within each of them. You can’t teach that.”

The Lions are back at home to host the Albemarle Patriots on May 20. The game begins at 6 p.m.

Louisa softball leans on Tyler’s pitching, early offense to beat Fluvanna

May 14, 2021by Chassy Groome

 Louisa County softball left little doubt that the Lions are Jefferson District contenders this season by bouncing back from a narrow loss to Orange this week with a 9-0 victory over Fluvanna Thursday night. The Lions were dominant, with a first inning, two-run home run by Jerri Lynn Shull leading an offensive assault. 

 The Lions have a total of seven seniors on the team this season including senior Brierra Tyler. Tyler threw a complete game for the first time in her career and clamped down on the Flucos, allowing just a pair of hits while striking out eight and walking just one.

 “Bri [Tyler] has never pitched seven innings before, so we just wanted to see what she was capable of and she got the job done,” said Louisa coach Susan Sharpe. 

 In the bottom of the sixth, the Flucos strung together a couple of base hits, and Fluvanna getting on the board was starting to look promising. Tyler and the defense snuffed out the potential rally though, forcing a ground out to end the threat. 

 Louisa Softball was more than prepared for their game last night, as they took down the Flucos, and the offense bounced back from getting shut out by Orange in a 1-0 defeat earlier this week.

 “We have practiced a lot on hitting,” said Sharpe. “They enjoy hitting so we try to make it fun for them. We work on the fundamentals everyday, just the little stuff. It is so important.”

 Savannah Bragg was taking care of the little stuff with a 2-for-2 night with an RBI, a triple and two runs. Emily Hall was also locked in with a 2-for-4 night with two RBI, a doubleand a pair of runs scored. Olivia Chenault also had a triple and Shull finished 2-for-3 with 3 RBI including the two-run homer.

 The Lions may have a lot of seniors in the lineup, but they’re built to contend in the Jefferson for a few years to come. 

 “We have a strong senior group, but we also have a lot of strong juniors. The two who are on the field now that aren’t seniors are a sophomore and a freshman,” said Sharpe. 

The Lions will square off with Albemarle Thursday while Fluvanna will look to regroup against the Patriots on Tuesday before travelling to Monticello Thursday.

Emily Gillespie winds up for a pitch during Louisa’s home game against Monticello on May 6. Gillespie and senior Brie Tyler combined to strike out 10 batters during the game.

Lions build momentum in district

• Joseph Haney

The Louisa Lions softball team picked up a pair of big district wins this week, defeating the Monticello Mustangs 11-1 at home and beating Western Albemarle 13-1 on the road.

Louisa hosted Monticello for their senior night game on May 6. It took a few innings for things to get going, with the Mustangs getting on the board in the top of the fourth with their lone run. In the bottom of the inning, senior Brie Tyler knocked one out of the park for a solo home run to tie the game and get things moving.

“I was thinking I needed to stay back, wait on the ball, let it get deep and then throw my hands to it,” Tyler said. “As soon as I did that, I got the results.”

That home run turned out to be the catalyst for the Lions. Emily Hall got on base with a single, then advanced to third on a double from Haley Rosson. Jerri Shull plated Hall, and Brady Shifflett notched a pair of RBIs, scoring Rosson and Shull to boost Louisa to a 4-1 lead by the end of the inning.

“Until Brie’s home run, I think we were getting a little frustrated,” said Coach Susan Sharpe. “We weren’t making the adjustments we needed to at the plate. That homer was a momentum changer. We started stringing things together after that.”

The momentum continued through the remaining innings. Rosson tallied another pair of RBIs in the fifth, plating Dara Sharpe and Savannah Bragg on a sacrifice fly to boost the Lions to 6-1. The runs continued to come in the sixth. Shull reached first on an error, advanced to second after Shifflett was hit by a pitch, then Olivia Chenault tallied a single to load the bases. Sharpe plated Shull with a single, then Bragg knocked the ball over the left field fence for a grand slam, her second home run of the season, to win the game.

“She’s got quick hands,” Coach Sharpe said. “She’s a smart batter and she’s very versatile. She hit a couple shots out to centerfield and laid down a bunt in the five-six hole [in the fifth].”

Prior to the game, the team honored their seven senior players: Chenault, Hall, Rosson, Shifflett, Shull, Tyler and Brooke Vincze.

"I’m excited for them, especially since we started off a little slow,” Sharpe said. “It was good to see them come up with a big win on their senior night.”

Dara Sharpe and Bragg each had two hits, while Tyler, Rosson, Shull and Chenault each added one. In the circle, Tyler and Emily Gillespie combined for 10 strikeouts and gave up one hit and walked one batter.

The Lions carried their momentum into their game against the Western Albemarle Warriors on May 10.

Dara Sharpe notched a double to get the action going in the first inning, and was then batted in by Hall to get the Lions on the board. Bragg plated Shifflett and Vincze in the second inning, extending the Lions’ lead to 3-0, then scored on a RBI single from Sharpe. Tyler rounded out the scoring that inning, crossing the plate on an RBI from Hall.  

Bragg and Sharpe each scored again in the third, and Vincze plated Maddox Pleasants in the fourth before she and Emma McGehee were both batted in by Chenault, making the score 11-0. The Warriors got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, then Gillespie and Hall crossed the plate in the fifth to round out the scoring.

“The girls played really well,” Coach Sharpe said. “They learned from each other’s at-bats and did a great job of making adjustments. Brie and Emily were very dominant in the circle. I love games where we are able to get everyone good playing time. All of these kids work so hard at practice and it’s nice when everyone gets game time.”

The Lions totaled 15 hits throughout the night. Dara Sharpe led the team with three, followed by Bragg, Hall and Vincze with two each. Gillespie, Tyler, Pleasants, Shifflett, McGehee and Chenault each added one. In the circle, Tyler and Gillespie combined for 11 strikeouts.

The Lions hit the road again on May 13, to Fluvanna County High School to take on the Flucos. Action begins at 6 p.m.

Brie Tyler fires a pitch across the plate during the Lions’ season opener against Charlottesville. Tyler and fellow pitcher Emily Gillespie combined for a perfect game, striking out 15 batters over the game's five innings.

Sluggers shut out Charlottesville

• Joseph Haney

The Louisa Lions baseball and softball teams got their seasons started in style, shutting out the Charlottesville Black Knights at home on April 27.

The softball team won 24-0 behind a combined perfect game from pitchers Brie Tyler and Emily Gillespie, who struck out 15 batters during the five-inning game. On offense, the Lions scored 11 runs in the opening inning, taking advantage of several wild pitches to get some early runs. Brady Shifflett, Savannah Bragg and Emily Hall all notched RBIs later in the inning to help boost the score.

Louisa continued their offensive push in the second inning, adding six more runs to their tally including a RBI triple from Olivia Chenault and a three-run homer from Bragg. The Lions added two runs in the third inning and five in the fourth, led by a grand slam from Emily Hall.

“The thing I’m most pleased with is how they adjusted at the plate,” said Coach Susan Sharpe. “Historically, Charlottesville’s pitching is the kind where kids tend to get over-anxious. As a whole we did a good job of driving the ball where it was pitched and we did a good job of being patient and adjusting the strike zone throughout the game.”

Bragg and Dara Sharpe led the offense with two hits each, while Shifflett, Hall, Gillespie, Chenault, Haley Rosson, Lilly Jordan and Brooke Vincze each had one.

High school softball preview capsules

The Freelance Star - 4/27/2021

LOUISA

Coach: Susan Sharpe

Top players: Sr. P Brie Tyler, Sr. C Emily Hall, Sr. OF Olivia Chenault, So. SS Dara Sharpe, P Emily Gillespie, Fr. Savannah Bragg.

Outlook: Tyler and Hall are two of seven seniors who should make the Lions formidable before they head off to play in college. Dara Sharpe was poised to start at shortstop as a freshman last spring before the pandemic wiped out the season.

Emily Gillespie goes for a bunt during a recent practice. 

Softball team getting back into the swing of things

Joseph Haney

Apr 23, 2021

The Louisa County High School softball team is back on the field and getting ready for the 2021 season.

“We’re just so excited,” said Coach Susan Sharpe. “It feels so good to be back and to have my girls back.”

The Lions are returning eight players to the team this year, including a large crop of seniors. Olivia Chenault, Emily Hall, Haley Rosson, Brady Shifflett, Jerri Lynn Shull, Brie Tyler and Brooke Vinzce are all returning for one last season.

“It’s thrilling,” Sharpe said. “They all graduate in the middle of May and our last regular season game is scheduled for June 10, so that’s a month that they’re willing to come back and play ball.”

The seniors have a long history with the game and with each other, since most of them have been playing together since they were in middle school.

“We have a strong bond that makes us closer than most teams,” Chenault said. “We know each other’s strengths so we can build each other up.”

Also returning to the varsity team is sophomore Dara Sharpe, who will be suiting up for her first season of varsity play. Sharpe made the squad last year as a freshman before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She says she’s “very excited” to play with the seniors for their final season and that she’s seeing a lot of “want and drive from everybody.”

"They want to go far and everyone’s putting in the work to get to where they want to go,” she said.

Stepping up to the varsity team for the first time this season are freshman Savannah Bragg and sophomore Emily Gillespie, who Coach Sharpe hopes will be contributors this season.

“Emily is a left-handed pitcher, so she’ll compliment Brie really well in the circle, and Savannah is extremely versatile and a very scrappy kid,” she said.

Rounding out the roster are juniors Lydia Gillespie, Lilly Jordan, Ali Downey, Emma McGehee and Maddox Pleasants, all of whom are moving up from the JV team.

As the Lions wrap up their abbreviated preseason, Sharpe is hoping the team will “make a name for themselves this year.”

“There’s a ton of talent [on this team],” she said. “They can do it all. They can play defense, hit, bunt ... I’ve never had a team this talented.”

The Lions host the Charlottesville Black Knights for their first game on April 27. Action begins at 6 p.m.

Student Athlete of the Week: Brierra Tyler

12 hrs ago

Updated: 12 hrs ago

By Preston Willett

Student Athlete of the Week: Brierra Tyler

MINERAL, Va. (CBS19 SPORTS) -- In the craziness of the last year, Louisa County's Brierra Tyler has found comfort in a familiar place.

"Definitely a stress reliever between COVID and doing blended learning with school, it's definitely a big stress reliever," Tyler said.

After the Lions softball team saw their season canceled less than a week before their opener, Tyler has been able to focus her efforts on travel ball and show off what Louisa's opponents missed in the spring.

"It makes it a lot easier for a transition," Tyler said, "With school ball it was a let down because of COVID, but with me being able to play travel ball I still got to stay in shape, get reps in."

Tyler's talent was on full display this fall when she threw a no-hitter and had a two homer game, showing the 2019 second team All-Region pick has not let up.

"She's a workhorse, she sets goals, she pushes herself," Louisa County Softball Coach Susan Sharpe said, "She's always looking for what can I do better to be better and that's self-driven."

With no spring season, Tyler also missed on the opportunity to play in front of college coaches and to make recruiting trips. But it did not stop her from picking up nearly ten offers to play at the next level.

"Especially for a kid like Brie it was really tough because there's so much there to offer and it took away so many opportunities for people to come out and watch her," Sharpe said, "For her to get the offers that she did, she worked really hard to make sure people knew who she was and what she was capable of doing."

"It slowed down the process a lot and I'm the person that likes to visit campuses and get that one on one interaction," Tyler said, "But I just had to take that step of faith and just commit."

Tyler is now committed to pitch at the D-I level for Norfolk State, a place where she had gone to camp for three years before, but first she has unfinished business with the Lions if a spring season gets underway.

"Oh I want her to have fun, just go out and do what she does and have a blast doing it," Sharpe said, "Have something special where when she's my age, can look back and go 'yeah, man, we did that. That was awesome."

Link to interview:

https://www.cbs19news.com/story/42742880/student-athlete-of-the-week-brierra-tyler

THE DAILY PROGRESS ARTICLE 

Louisa's Emily Hall commits to play softball at Mary Baldwin

• John Harvey

For some people, it takes years for them to figure out their life path.

Emily Hall started mapping out her future in 2011, when she began playing organized softball.

Nine years later, the Louisa County senior is set to take the next step in her journey after verbally committing to play softball at Mary Baldwin University.

“For me, having this opportunity is so exciting and shows that your goals can be achieved when you work hard and have commitment,” Hall said. “How great it is to get an education while playing the sport I love.”

Hall has been a consistent contributor for the Lions during her time with the program. As a sophomore, she batted .282 with eight RBI, seven runs scored and a pair of stolen bases in 18 games as the team’s primary right fielder.

She was projected to move behind the plate for the Lions last year before the season was stopped because of COVID-19.

“When the pandemic began, everything came to a sudden stop, including softball practices, tournaments and camps,” Hall said. “This obviously slowed down the recruiting process. During that time, I took advantage by emailing and sending videos to college coaches. Staying connected is so important. By doing this, I was able to keep colleges informed and let them know about my schedule, which was how the Mary Baldwin coaches were able to come watch me play.”

That opened the doors for Hall. One of her first college visits was a camp at Mary Baldwin and the connection with Coach Christy Shelton and her staff was evident from the very beginning.

“It was the best camp that I had ever been to,” Hall said. “I immediately loved the girls on the team, they were kind and helpful with any questions I had about the school. Coach Shelton talked about how she prioritized us, our education and our family first, which really caught my attention. Mary Baldwin felt like it could be my home away from home.”

Hall said the bond with Shelton and assistant coach Jason Whitaker was instantaneous. The two coaches liked her ability behind the plate, both defensively blocking balls in the dirt, as well as the ability to drive in runs.

“My versatility in the outfield and willingness to learn a new position also caught their attention,” she said. “Coach Whitaker mentioned my bat could be helpful to the program.”

Hall's love of the Mary Baldwin sports program also carried over to the school itself. The small class size and close-knit school community were a definite draw, as well the opportunity to receive a college education while playing softball.

“Mary Baldwin stood out due to Coach Shelton, the other girls on the softball team, the beautiful campus that’s a reasonable distance from home,” Hall said. “It quickly became No. 1 on my list after I attended a prospect camp. I was talking with other schools, including one of the smaller Penn State schools, but knew that if I was given the opportunity, I would take the offer to play at Mary Baldwin."

THE DAILY PROGRESS

Louisa's Brierra Tyler verbally commits to play softball at Norfolk State

• John Harvey

Playing softball and pursuing a career in the medical field have been top priorities for Brierra Tyler throughout her time at Louisa County High School

The senior standout will have an opportunity to keep doing both after she recently committed to play softball at Norfolk State University.

“This opportunity has truly been a blessing,” Tyler said. “It has been a lifelong goal and dream to play at the next level. My hard work and determination finally paid off.”

Tyler’s journey to becoming a college athlete has not been an easy one. In 2015, she suffered a knee injury that resulted in surgery a year later. Following nearly 18 months of recovery and rehab, she returned to the diamond and turned in a spectacular sophomore campaign.

“During this time, I was praying and hoping I was able to return to the game to my full potential,” Tyler said. “This was a minor setback for a major comeback. Hard work and determination were my goal.”

Tyler appeared in 17 games for the Lions and was an impact performer. She hit a team-high .388 with four triples, two home runs, 10 RBI and 15 runs scored while hitting in the middle of Coach Susan Sharpe’s lineup.

In the circle, she was just as formidable, striking out 39 batters in 42 2/3 innings while posting a 4.10 ERA

Tyler received interest from a number of college programs throughout Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic. She had offers from Bridgewater, Eastern Mennonite and Frostburg State. Bowie State, Mary Washington, Ferrum, North Carolina Central, UVa-Wise and Lynchburg also showed interest.

But none of those schools resonated with her like Norfolk State did.

“Norfolk State is the school of my choice for several reasons outside of softball, including academics, a clearer path for me post-graduation, proximity to family, extracurricular activities on and off campus, and campus safety and security measures,” Tyler said. “The campus is not too big and not too small and it’s located near the beach, my favorite place.”

The familiarity with the Spartans’ program also was a plus. Tyler has attended several college showcase camps at Norfolk State over the past three years and had the opportunity to work with Coach James Inzana and his staff and form a rapport.

“The 1-on-1 interaction with the coaches allowed me to perform to my talents, in all aspects, especially pitching and batting,” she said. “The coaches were very interested in my abilities, loved my effort and always enjoyed my positive attitude.”

Another selling point for Norfolk State for Tyler was the opportunity to play at a Historically Black College.

“Once I decided I wanted to attend an HBCU with a strong academic and softball program that shares the passion for the game, on and off the field, I knew this was the school for me,” Tyler said. “I also love the opportunities to wear the green and gold, from a Louisa Lion to an NSU Spartan.”

Tyler is projected to pitch and provide some power in the middle of the Spartans’ lineup.

In the classroom, she plans to major in health administration and minor in biology. Already a licensed certified nursing assistant, Tyler hopes to pursue a career in the medical field.

“I feel a sense of relief now that my decision has been made,” Tyler said. “It was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make, but I’m grateful for this journey and opportunity.”

Lions face tough teams in spring break tourney

• Joseph Haney

• 
  

Photo by Carrie Chisholm

 The Louisa Lions’ softball team rounded out their week in Myrtle Beach with the final three games of the Grand Strand Classic, taking on Madison High School, Beaver Area High School and Riverside High School.

The Lions faced Madion from Middlestown, Ohio on April 13, winning 10-1. Emily Gillespie struck out 17 batters in the circle, walking two and giving up two hits. Dara Sharpe led the offense, going 3 for 4 at the plate with a single, a double and a triple. She scored three runs and batted in four more.

Louisa faced Beaver Area high School from Beaver, Pennsylvania on April 14. The Lions fell 3-1, taking six hits off of Virginia Tech commited pitcher Payton List. Alyssa Hopkins and Maddos Pleasants each had two hits and Savannah Bragg and Arianna Taylor each had one. Sharpe scored the Lions’ lone run in the fifth inning.

Gillespie struck out 11 batters in the circle, giving up four hits.

The Lions closed out the week with a game against Riverside High School from Painesville, Ohio. Riverside won 9-0. the Beavers scored three runs in the second inning and added six more in the fourth.

Gillespie pitched the first two innings, striking out one batter. Pleasants took over from there, giving up four hits. Pleasants, Bragg and Kourtney Kidd each had a hit for the Lions.

“I really think we’d run out of gas by the time we played thsi game,” Coach Susan Sharpe said. “We were Riverside’s third game and they were our fifth and it showed. Emily gave us her best effort, but the four games caught up with us. Maddox came in and once she settled down, she was hitting her spots well.”

Looking back on the tournament Sharpe said she was “very pleased with how the team competed.”

“We go to this tournament to get better and see stronger competition and I feel we did that,” she said. “We faced a Virginia Tech commit, a defending state championhip team and one of the best private school programs in Virginia and we were competitive. Playing teams at that level should better prepare us for post season play.”

The Lions returned home on April 20 for a game against the Charlottesville Black Knights. Results of the game were unavailable at press time. They travel to Albemarle on April 21 and to Riverbend on April 22 for a pair of road games. Thursday’s game starts at 6 p.m. and Friday’s game begins at 7 p.m.