SALEM — Buffalo Gap fell just short of the ultimate goal of a softball state championship.
William Campbell beat the Bison 10-4 in the Virginia High School League Class 1 state title game Saturday, June 13, at Moyer Sports Complex in Salem.
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It was the first time the Buffalo Gap softball program has reached the state championship game, getting there with a thrilling come-from-behind win over defending state champ Eastside the day before.
Coach Holly Desper told her players they still accomplished something that no other softball team in Buffalo Gap history had ever done: reaching the state title game and being one of two teams left in Class 1.
"That's still something to be proud of," Desper said.
William Campbell put up two quick runs in the top of the first inning and added two more in the third for a 4-0 lead. But Gap has been a team throughout the postseason that found its offense late. While the Bison didn't find enough offense late, it did make things interesting.
Paige Showalter singled home Bailey Tribble in the bottom of the third for Gap's first run.
Two innings later, Paige Showalter had another RBI single, scoring Avery Wheeler from third. Rachel Showalter then reached on an error, allowing Tribble to score, cutting William Campbell's lead to 4-3.
But the top of the sixth was the inning that doomed Gap the most. William Campbell's Adleigh Geppert tripled to center, scoring three runners. Geppert eventually came home to score that inning as well, putting the Generals up 8-3.
"They hit all game," Desper said of William Campbell, who had nine hits in the win. "All game they were hitting gaps. We were trying to pitch it anywhere over the plate, just not leaving it hanging, and they were finding the ball. They just had a great hitting game."
Buffalo Gap managed just one more run the rest of the way when Charleigh Phillips scored on a Wheeler ground ball.
William Campbell scored two more in the seventh, and Gap couldn't get any more runs across in the bottom of the inning.
Tribble finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Bison. Paige Showalter also had two hits in four plate appearances, knocking in two runs.
Tribble started the game in the circle, giving up four runs, three of them earned, in 2.2 innings before Rachel Showalter finished the game, giving up six runs, four of them earned.
Gap is still a young team. Only Phillips and Lyla Pierce graduated, so the rest of the team returns for next season.
"We'll be back," Desper said. "These girls are fired up. They're ready."
Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at [email protected] and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Buffalo Gap loses to William Campbell in state softball championship