The big week opened with LB’s “Senior Night” in Daleville on Wednesday, May 18. While most teams try to find a week opponent for Senior Night the Cavaliers had a makeup game with Staunton River, who came in undefeated in district games.
After honoring seniors Gianna Sloan-Lebron, Makena Shupe, Rhyann Jones, Maddie Carroll, and Lexi Turner, the Cavaliers set out to ruin River’s district unbeaten record, and they did just that. Jones pitched a complete game shutout and seniors Jones, Shupe, Sloan-Lebron and Reed all had hits in the 1-0 win.
“Our defense shined with not a single error committed and Makena Shupe made the most plays with eight,” said LB coach Megan Dehart. “The energy these girls displayed was unmatched and I could not be happier for them to get this win. We had timely hitting and solid defense that contributed to the series split with Staunton River.”
That gave LB a 7-3 district record and a district tournament semifinal matchup with Franklin County on Friday night in Daleville. Jones pitched a second straight shutout, allowing just two hits in a 7-0 win. LB used a big third inning to score three times as Autumn Russell singled and Shupe doubled. Sloan-Lebron and Jackson Kemper had two hits each in the win.
On Saturday it was LB and Staunton River again in the Blue Ridge District tournament final, and once again Jones was spectacular as she pitched the Cavaliers to a 1-0 win over the Eagles for the second time in four days. This time she allowed just three hits as she stretched her shutout string to 21 innings.
There were several lightning delays in the game, but LB brought the thunder as Sloan-Lebron singled and scored on a Jones double for the only run of the game. Russell and Shupe both had singles and Reed had a triple for the Cavaliers as they brought home the BRD tournament trophy.
“Our defense was the unsung hero of the game, not committing a single error,” said Dehart. “I am immensely proud of this young group of girls. We knew this game would be tough and we would need to be on our A game.”
The win gave the girls a 17-4 overall record and they’ll be the second seed in the Region 3D tournament. LB has a first round bye and they’ll take on the Abingdon-Tunstall winner in Daleville on Memorial Day at 5:30 p.m. The Cavaliers could meet Staunton River, the third seed, once again in the region semifinal on June 1. Carroll County is the top seed, and the championship game is at the site of the highest remaining seed on June 3.
“This team is so fun to be around and watch play their hearts out,” said Dehart. “We are all soaking up every minute of this playoff season.”
