The PHS Varsity Softball team split a pair of Southside District games last week. 

First, the Lady Indians traveled to Nottoway on Tuesday in a key match-up, but came up short in a 3-1 loss to the undefeated Cougars.  The team bounced back into the win column on Thursday, as they shut out Bluestone 4-0 on the PHS diamond.

Missed opportunities proved to be the nemesis for the Lady Indians in the loss to Nottoway, as they stranded seven base runners in what turned out to be a hard fought defensive game.  Both teams put runners in scoring position throughout the afternoon, but all of the scoring occurred in the second inning. 

Powhatan crossed home plate in the top of the second when Liz Sill led off the inning with a base hit.  Courtesy runner Katie Rinkewich moved to second on a Carly Davis sacrifice bunt and took third base on an infield hit by Brittany Tomlinson.  Rinkewich scored when Katelynn Garrett got a blooper past the shortstop, but the Lady Indians left two stranded and had to settle for what would be their only run for the day. 

Powhatan threatened again in the third, fourth and sixth innings, but could not score.  The Cougars put their three runs on the board in the bottom of the second, aided by a couple of defensive miscues and a double to centerfield. 

Sophomore Ansley Hovermale went the distance on the mound for Powhatan, scattering three hits, while striking out six Cougar batters.

Powhatan scored four runs in the bottom of the first on Thursday to take control of the visiting Bluestone Barons and played errorless defense for a 4-0 win.  Lead-off hitter Kelsey Waugh reached first base on a Baron error and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Jessica Glidewell.  Wrenn singled to score Waugh and Sill moved Wrenn to second base.  Both runners advanced on a Davis grounder and Shannon Summers followed with a 2 RBI double over the left fielder for a 3-0 lead.  Rinkewich moved Summers to third and Tomlinson had a base hit to score Summers for the final 4-0 margin. 

Freshman Jessica Brooks handled the pitching for Powhatan, allowing three hits and striking out eight batters in seven innings on the mound and her defense played strong behind her. 

The Barons, who managed only three base runners for the day, did not get a runner on base until the fifth inning.  Wrenn went two for four at the plate to lead the Powhatan offense.

The Lady Indians are currently in second place in the Southside District with a record of 5-2 in the division and 8-5 overall. 

Powhatan will travel to Greensville on Tuesday and will host Park View on Thursday.