Lincoln ruins the first night of Fairmont softball, downing the Polar Bears 22-0 | High School Sports

FAIRMONT — When Fairmont Senior Softball held senior night for Tuesday’s game against Lincoln, it was a beautiful day filled with joy recognizing two seniors on the team.

Unfortunately for the Polar Bears, Lincoln played spoiler by defeating Fairmont Senior 22-0 in five innings. Despite suffering its worst loss of the season, Fairmont Senior was able to stay positive and enjoy the loss.

“We all did our jobs,†senior Grace Wells said. “We had guys step up and play positions they’re not used to, and they did a great job of doing that. People sat happily. We all worked hard, and it was a good day for us to play the game, and we played as a team.

The team honored Wells and Jessica Jenkins before the game with flowers and cookies. Wells said it’s a great honor to be recognized in this sport, while Jenkins said the recognition means a lot but it feels amazing to be a senior this year.

“It means a lot,†said Jenkins. “I have been working hard for the last four years for him. It feels amazing to have the last season. It’s very strange, but it felt good I think.â

The highlight of the day for Fairmont Senior came from freshman Lola Wright who entered the field in the third inning with her team down 13-0. Despite having no previous experience on the hill, he finished the game and pitched a shutout in the fourth.

In 2.2 innings, Wright faced 19 hits, allowed eight runs, two hits, walked four and struck out three batters for Lincoln. All three shots went out as they watched.

“I feel good,†Wright said of his debut. “I’m a freshman, and it’s my first game pitching, and I got three strikeouts. Even though we didn’t come out on top, I thought we did well.â€

Junior Michaela Egidi started on the mound for Fairmont Senior. In 1.2 innings, Egidi faced 14 hits, allowed seven runs, two hits, walked one, hit one by a pitch and struck out one. Head Coach Anna Runyan pulled Egidi because she planned much of Monday’s game at Robert C. Byrd.

Jenkins relieved Egidi in the second, faced 10 batters, allowed seven runs, three hits and walked three before Wright removed him in the third inning. Despite the advice from Runyan, Lincoln still considered Jenkins and other pitchers.

“Anna told me to hit a lot of times outside because yes, they are hitters, I knew that,†said Jenkins. “Some of my plays were not shot, so they got good hits. It wasn’t working for me.â

Lincoln’s offense yielded five runs in the first inning, two in the second, 12 in the third and eight in the fifth. Junior Riley Pearlman hit a two-run home run in the second that went off the left field fence. The home plate umpire signaled the home run to prove it.

The Fairmont Senior gave up just two hits on offense. Jenkins thinks the players are getting in over their heads, and Runyan agreed with his opinion.

“We have to keep our heads on the ball,†Runyan said. “We have to make sure we are watching the ball. I know that’s a big deal. I mean, statistically, it’s really hard to hit a baseball or a softball, right? So let us be more confident when we get there and we have to keep our heads down.â

After the biggest loss of the season, Fairmont Senior gets the day off so the players can take the SAT. The Polar Bears will return to action Thursday to host Elkins at 5 p.m

Reach Colin C. Rhodes at 304-367-2548