By Michael Lindsay
The back-to-back defending Class 1A state softball champion Gordonsville Tigerettes (32-1) clinched their fifth consecutive region championship and Class 1A sectional berth Monday evening as they defeated East Robertson 13-0 in the Region 4-1A semifinals.
Monday’s game was delayed by nearly two hours due to inclement weather.
“All respect goes to coach Kevin Evans and East Robertson,” said Gordonsville head coach Jonathan Bush. “We knew what kind of team they had, and we came out and played well. We had some rain, and it’s different playing at 7 instead of 5:30. I’m proud of our girls for staying focused and playing a good game.
“We have three seniors and 11 juniors,” added Bush. “They stay focused and all we have to do is make sure the seniors keep them there.”
Gordonsville racked up 13 hits in the 4-inning run-rule victory. Kat Johnson, Kailey Plumlee, Laura Thompson and Callie Dillard recorded two hits each with Plumlee hitting a three-run homer.
Plumlee struck out 10 of the 18 batters she faced through 4 innings while surrendering 1 walk and 3 hits.
Gordonsville opened the contest with three runs in the bottom of the first inning via a Bailey Stewart sacrifice fly followed by a Thompson single to right, scoring two more runs.
The Tigerette offense exploded in the bottom of the second for 10 runs on 9 hits in the frame, including Plumlee’s three-run homer.
Up next for Gordonsville is the Region 4-1A championship game on Wednesday. The Tigerettes will face the winner of the Jo Byrns/Clay County game that is scheduled to finish Tuesday afternoon at Jo Byrns. Clay County held a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning with a runner on third before inclement weather forced postponement until Tuesday.
If Clay County wins, Gordonsville will host the championship game at Crump Paris Park on Wednesday, but the Tigerettes will travel to Jo Byrns should the Red Devils win.
