The Lord Botetourt softball team went down to defeat for the first time when they played host to Liberty High over spring break. The game was played Saturday morning and was completed just before the inclement weather arrived in the county.

Botetourt dropped a 3-1 game to the Minutewomen and their ace pitcher, Millie Thompson. The Clemson University-bound senior struck out 13 batters in an LB lineup filled with strong hitters. Kenleigh Gunter led the Cavaliers with two hits, including an RBI double, while Meredith Wells and Kloe Bacon had one hit each.

Wells pitched for LB and kept the Cavaliers in the game. Liberty scored a run in the top of the first but LB tied it in the bottom of the second when Bacon walked, Wells singled and Gunter doubled in a run. Emma Layman walked to load the bases but Thompson was able to get out of the jam without further damage by getting a ground ball out.

Liberty retook the lead in the top of the fourth and added an insurance run in the sixth. Wells finished with three strikeouts as her personal record fell to 3-1 on the season.

As a team, Botetourt fell to 4-1 with the loss. The Cavaliers were scheduled to play undefeated William Byrd in Vinton on Tuesday but results were too late for publication. Today LB will host Rockbridge and on Friday the Cavaliers are at Staunton River.