Softball team beats Stonewall Jackson twice

The Rappahannock County varsity softball team rebounded from a four-game losing streak this week with a couple of wins against Stonewall Jackson of Quicksburg.

The Panthers (3-4) punished the Generals 16-0 on Friday at home. Rappahannock shut them out again, 4-0, on Monday in Quicksburg.

Crystal Heflin pitched the first three innings of Friday's game to pick up the win. Megan Early pitched the fourth and fifth innings before the game was ended because of the Virginia High School League's mercy rule.

Emily Carter and Heflin carried the big bats for the Panthers on Friday. Carter batted 3-4, including a double, and scored four runs. Heflin batted 3-3, including a double, and scored three runs.

Amanda Smoot pitched a full seven innings Monday in the Panthers' 4-0 victory. She struck out seven batters in the shutout.

Carter led the Panthers at the plate again Monday. The junior shortstop batted 2-4, including a home run and a triple, and scored two runs.

Rappahannock had a couple of tough losses last week. The Panthers fell at Luray, 5-4, in 10 innings on March 28. They held a 1-0 lead for four innings on April 1 at Page County before losing 8-3.

Rappahannock was scheduled to play Highland on Wednesday night after the Rappahannock News went to press.

The Panthers, the defending regular-season Bull Run District champions, will launch into district play Friday when they host Madison County.

"This week will be the test," Panthers coach Richie Burke said. "Highland's gonna be tough. I think the Madison game will determine how we're gonna do in the district. If we beat Madison at home, I think we'll do very well in the district."

The Panthers begin Bull Run play on Friday against Madison County at their home field behind Rappahannock County Elementary School. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.

The girls will host Clarke County on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the field behind RCES.

E-mail the reporter at kallen@timespapers.com.