FAIRMONT — Following a nail-biter that led to a 13-12 win over Preston High earlier this week, the Fairmont Senior softball team struggled to put together a complete performance and recorded their fourth loss of the season in a 7-2 loss to Buckhannon Upshur Friday evening.
Buccaneers’ pitcher Becca Pastorius finished the contest with 10 strikeouts, giving up just two runs as the Polar Bears had difficulty hitting against Pastorious for the majority of the matchup.
Buckhannon would begin to build their lead in the top of the third inning after connecting on a pitch that allowed them to ultimately score to claim a 1-0 advantage. The top of the fifth inning, though, would be where the Buccaneers’ offensive firepower began to surface, as a ground ball split between first and second base resulted in two RBIs and a commanding 3-0 lead.
Fairmont Senior’s woes would continue on both sides of the ball as the Polar Bears struggled to get off the field. A dropped ball in right field, still in the top of the fifth, would allow a Buckhannon triple and send another batter home for a 4-0 lead.
A nice grab, though, from left-fielder Abby Shuck on the next at-bat would allow the Polar Bears to set themselves up in a position to climb back into the contest.
Runs would not come until the bottom of the sixth inning for Fairmont Senior, however, as Pastorious continued to exert her dominance on the mound. She would allow two runs, but the Buccaneers would never surrender their lead moving into the 7th and final inning.
Three more scores would help boost the lead to 7-2, all but eliminating any chance of a Polar Bear comeback.
Buckhannon now moves to 6-5 overall and 5-1 in the Big X Conference. Fairmont Senior will return to the field this afternoon to take on Doddridge County at noon at Mary Lou Retton Park. The Bulldogs are currently 14-1 and are ranked ninth overall in the state.
