Early defense, fourth-inning offense key in Buffalo Gap softball win

SWOOPE — Maybe the sixth time is the charm.

Buffalo Gap will be returning to the state softball semifinals after beating Lancaster 7-1 June 9. They will meet Eastside in a repeat of last year’s semifinals. Eastside beat George Wythe 10-0 behind a perfect game by Emma Sartin, who had 15 strikeouts in six innings.

The game is set for Friday, June 12 at 12:30 p.m. at Salem’s Moyer Sports Complex.

Bailey Tribble led with the bat in the quarterfinal win over Lancaster, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including going deep to open the home half of the first inning with a solo home run. Rachel Showalter got the win in the circle, pitching seven innings, giving up just the one run on three hits and striking out eight.

Showalter said that early run helped her confidence.

“We worked hard on hitting this whole week, so that’s what we’re trying to do,” she said. “Just get on base and go out there and give it our all.”

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Defense was key early for Gap, especially from catcher Elissa Caricofe. The junior had a huge play at the plate, tagging out a Lancaster runner in the first, and another play where she threw down to third and Faith Showalter tagged out the runner in the second.

Buffalo Gap coach Holly Desper said that defense is so important because it shows the pitcher that her teammates have her back.

“Us firing home knowing Elissa is going to block it up at the plate, that she’s going to make the play if we get the ball there, that’s huge,” said Desper. “Also, if she catches a runner just a little off, Faith is going to be there and we’re going to make the play.”

Tribble’s homer gave Buffalo Gap a slim 1-0 lead, a margin that lasted through 3 1/2 innings before the Bison offense erupted for six runs in the fourth inning. It was the second straight game where fourth-inning fireworks blew open a tight game.

All the runs in the fourth came with two outs. An Elissa Caricofe single and a Charleigh Phillips walk put two on for Makenzie Wooddell, who smacked a line drive single into center for two runs.

Avery Wheeler than walked before Tribble did damage again with her bat, doubling to left to score one more and put Gap up 4-0.

One batter later, Faith Showalter ripped a pitch over the left field fence for a three-run homer and a 7-0 lead.

“I just knew that I needed a hit,” said Showalter.

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Lancaster finally got a run across in the top of the sixth, but it was too little, too late for the Red Devils, who lost for the second straight year to Buffalo Gap.

Offense has been an issue for Buffalo Gap in the state semifinals. They haven’t scored a run in their last five appearances. The team knows stringing together hits and scoring has to be the focus against Eastside this time.

When asked the key to winning in the semifinals, both Tribble and Faith Showalter had the same answer at the same time — hits.

“Not wait to the fourth inning,” Showalter said.

We’ll find out Friday if they can do just that.

Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Buffalo Gap beats Lancaster in state softball quarterfinals June 9