Editor’s note: This story has been edited to update Thursday’s schedule after Wednesday’s consolation games were delayed due to weather.
SOUTH CHARLESTON — Top-seeded Wahama opened its Class A title defense earlier Wednesday with a win over East Hardy, while Wheeling Central, Man and Sherman joined the White Falcons in Thursday’s semifinals at the WVSSAC softball state tournament at Little Creek Park.
Here’s a roundup of Wednesday’s action:
Wheeling Central 4, Pendleton County 3: Wheeling Central (18-6) scored four runs over its final two at-bats to erase a three-run deficit and knock off defending Class A champion Pendleton County in Wednesday’s opening quarterfinal.
Pendleton County (18-8) built a 3-0 lead behind RBI efforts from Jessica Parker, Laney Bowers and Lexy Tingler. Parker finished 1 for 2 with a run scored and an RBI, while Bowers and Tingler each added a hit and RBI.
Wheeling Central broke through with a four-run sixth inning to complete the comeback.
Sydney Hupp sparked the Maroon Knights offensively, going 1 for 3 with a triple, two runs scored and two RBIs. Seneca Heller added a hit, scored twice and drove in two runs, while Olivia Kiaski earned the complete-game victory in the circle after allowing three runs on five hits with six strikeouts.
Pendleton County pitcher Susan Vincell struck out eight in the loss.
Man 5, Ritchie County 2: Man (14-8) used timely hitting and a strong outing from Mia Johnson to defeat Ritchie County in Wednesday’s second Class A quarterfinal.
Johnson struck out nine and scattered seven hits in a complete-game effort for the Hillbillies. She also contributed at the plate, finishing 2 for 3 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Man broke open a tight game with two runs in the seventh inning after entering the frame with a 3-1 lead. The Hillbillies finished with seven hits and capitalized on three walks and a Ritchie County error.
Erika Mullins added an RBI for Man, while Kylie Blevins and Shyann Frye each drove in a run.
Ritchie County (18-12) was led offensively by Emily Bush and Rindy Perkins, who each collected two hits and an RBI. Rocklyn Marcum struck out nine in a complete-game effort despite taking the loss.
Sherman 7, Greenbrier West 2: Sherman (23-11) used a four-run sixth inning to pull away from Greenbrier West Wednesday night in the final Class A quarterfinal at the WVSSAC softball state tournament.
Lexie Lowe led Sherman offensively, finishing 2 for 4 with four RBIs and four runs scored, while Ellie Jeffrey added two hits, two runs and a triple. Makayla Harless also collected three hits for the Tide.
Molly Tagliente earned the complete-game victory after allowing two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts across seven innings.
Greenbrier West (15-11) was led by Brilee Redden, who went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI, while Gracie Rhodes added two hits, including a triple.
Thursday’s schedule – updated
Class A
Semifinals
Game 7: No. 1 Wahama vs. No. 4 Wheeling Central, 30 minutes following the conclusion of G6
Game 8: No. 2 Sherman vs. No. 6. Man, 30 minutes following the conclusion of G7
Game 11: Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8, 30 minutes following the conclusion of G10
Consolation
Game 5: No. 5 Pendleton County vs. No. 8 East Hardy, 9 a.m.
Game 6: No. 3 Ritchie County vs. No. 7 Greenbrier West, 30 minutes following the conclusion of G5
Game 9: Loser of Game 7 vs. East Hardy/Pendleton County, 30 minutes following the conclusion of G8
Game 10: Loser of Game 8 vs. Ritchie County/Greenbrier West, 30 minutes following the conclusion of G9
Game 12: Winner of Game 9 vs. winner of Game 10, 30 minutes following the conclusion of G11