Tomcats top Golden Eagles in duel between pitchers

GLOUSTER — It’s not about how many runs you can score, as long as you finish the game with more runs than your opponent.

In a game that saw just one run and five hits between the two teams, the Trimble softball team was able to emerge victorious over conference rival Belpre with a 1-0 victory.

The game became a high-stakes duel between the pitchers of each team, with the duo of Olivia Kasler and Hadley Mace for the Tomcats going toe to toe with Makayla Carmichael and the Golden Eagles.

Trimble (7-8) produced four hits on the day, with Charlie Shafer getting two for the Tomcats from the leadoff spot. Maddison McWilliams added a hit of her own, while Kylie Russell produced a hit and scored the game’s only run after coming in as a substitute in the fourth inning.

Kasler got the start for the Tomcats, tossing the first three innings while allowing just one hit and walking one batter. She also added two strikeouts. Mace then came in for the final four innings of relief, not allowing a single hit while walking six batters and striking out three.

Belpre was only able to manage a single hit on the day courtesy of Avery Varner from the leadoff spot. They were able to draw six walks as a team, including Rylee Wolfe and Avery George who both drew a pair of walks apiece for the Golden Eagles.

Carmichael got the ball in the circle and threw all six innings for Belpre, allowing just four hits and a run while adding 11 strikeouts on the afternoon.

Both teams threatened with a pair of runners on base at multiple times throughout the game, including both the first and fourth innings for both sides. Belpre consistently found runners on base, but were unable to break through with a run all afternoon.

Finally, in the bottom of the sixth, Trimble was able to plate the first and only run of the game after a throwing error from the Golden Eagles, which saw Russell go from first to home to give the Tomcats a 1-0 lead.

With just three outs left in their attempt to tie, Belpre once again found a runner on base via a walk before they were quickly doubled up the following at-bat, with the Tomcats soon securing the final out and the hard fought shutout victory.