Lady Viking softball ends season at Cabell Midland

The Lady Viking program of first-year head coach Mallory Hilton was denied the chance by Cabell Midland last Thursday.

In the best-of-three Region IV series, Midland captured two straight wins to earn its way back to the State Tournament. Midland missed going last year after winning it all in 2021.

Ripley fell a year ago to Lincoln County for the Region IV crown.

After losing the first game of the regional to Midland last Wednesday by a 7-4 final, Ripley headed to Ona Thursday with hopes of sending the series back to Ripley on Friday for the third and decisive game.

Things looked good early on for the Lady Vikings as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead.

McKennan Hall got it started for Ripley with a solo home run in the first.

That was followed by a second run in the third.

Kaitlyn Swisher doubled and later scored to give Ripley the two-run edge. McKennan Hall got Swisher home on a fielder’s choice.

The Knights, of course, were hoping to avoid heading back to Ripley for Game 3.

And that is what they ultimately managed to do.

Midland scored three in the bottom of the fourth and never looked back in securing the regional title.

The Knights added three more times before the game ended while keeping Ripley off the board after those two early runs.

Swisher had two hits for Ripley as did Kristabelle Carte.

Ripley was outhit in the game, 10-8.

The Lady Vikings suffered one error to none for Midland.

Ripley, which loses eight seniors, finished with a record of 18-10.

Midland takes a 21-5 record to the State Tournament inside South Charleston’s Little Creek Park, set for tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday.

The Knights will open the double-elimination tournament against John Marshall.

George Washington and Jefferson square off in the other AAA matchup.