Bill Lusk | WVOW Sports
WINFIELD Mattie Carroll tossed a five-hitter, outdueling her counterpart Chloe Murphy, as fourth-ranked Winfield defeated third-ranked Chapmanville, 1-0, in the first game of the Class AA Region IV championship series Monday evening at Winfield High School.
Carroll struck out five and walked one in seven innings as the reigning Class AA champion Generals (22-9) moved within one game of a return trip to next week’s Class AA state tournament.
Kennedy Schilling broke a scoreless tie with a third inning single off Murphy, scoring Evie Loyd with the game’s only run.
Murphy was stellar in the circle for Chapmanville, allowing just one run on three while striking out 11 and walking three in six innings in the circle.
Before Schilling’s third inning single, it was Chapmanville that threatened to break the scoreless tie by loading the bases with no outs in the top of the third.
Shae Conley singled to start the frame for the Lady Tigers (25-5). Charity Atwood drew a walk and Megan Brown was hit by the pitch to load the bases.
Carroll would induce a pair of groundouts as Hannah Miller and Laken Parks grounded out to Carroll in the circle and Brooke Christian popped out to Carroll ending the top of the third.
Chapmanville would get singles from Erica Sigmon and Conley in the top of the fourth, but once again Carroll pitched out of a jam by striking out Atwood to end the fourth.
Mady Farley singled with two outs in the seventh, but Carroll got Miller to strike out ending the game.
Conley had two singles and Farley, Murphy and Sigmon each had one single for the Lady Tigers.
Schilling had one hit and one RBI and Alex Hurley and Kenlie Zigmond each had one single for the Lady Generals.
Chapmanville will try to force a decisive third game with a win Wednesday evening at Ronnie “Mule” Ooten Field. Winfield can wrap up its third straight Class AA Region IV championship with a win Wednesday, but a Chapmanville win would force a winner take all contest Thursday at Winfield.