SHORT GAP, W.Va. — Petersburg’s offense was nothing shy of dominant on Wednesday, combining for 17 hits in a 16-2 five-inning victory over Frankfort.
Ella Chew led the Vikings with two home runs, including a grand slam and seven RBIs.
“At the end of the day, we scored 16 runs, so I was happy with that,” Petersburg head coach Bubba Hedrick said. “I thought we hit the ball well. We’re just very young. I got four freshmen and three sophomores starting. I’m trying to learn what they’re like. I’m very pleased where we are.”
The Vikings (3-0) scored six runs through the first four innings, then exploded for a 10-run fifth inning to implement the run rule, ending the game.
Petersburg scored two runs in the second inning. After the first two batters reached on an error and a walk, a wild pitch advanced both into scoring position.
A dropped third strike scored a run, giving the Vikings a 1-0 lead.
On the next at-bat, a two-base throwing error at second brought home another run.
“Anytime you can get some runs on the board, it just gets a little more confidence,” Hedrick said.
Petersburg opened the third inning with four consecutive hits.
Gracie Carpenter singled to left on the first pitch of the inning before Sam Colaw doubled to right center, putting two runners in scoring position.
Chew then sent a line drive to center field, just clearing the fence for a three-run home run.
Miley Tingler singled to center before a fielder’s choice ended the hit streak.
Leading 5-0, Shyane Tawney led off the top of the fourth hitting a fly ball to left center that hit the top of the fence and went over for a solo homer, increasing the Vikings lead to 6-0.
The Falcons (2-2) only put four balls in play through the first three innings before answering in the bottom of the fourth as Aubrie Root hit a double that went over the center fielder’s head to leadoff the inning.
Raley Nestor singled to second and a fielding error at first drove in the first run for the Falcons.
Nestor reached second on the error and took third on a wild pitch. She scored on a passed ball, cutting Frankfort’s deficit to 6-2.
Petersburg answered in the top of the fifth. Nine consecutive Vikings reached first safely in between the first and second out.
“To see it early in the year, I’m smiling, I’m happy,” Hedrick said of the early offensive success. “Where we are youth wise, I wasn’t sure exactly how well they would come out. So far, they’ve come out extremely well.”
The Vikings recorded three straight hits as Sites doubled, Olivia Kimble singled and Tawney singled.
With the bases loaded, Jordan Riggleman drew a walk to add a run.
Colaw then hit an RBI single to give Petersburg an 8-2 lead.
The Vikings once again loaded the bases, and Chew, who was 2 for 4, cleared them on her grand slam to left center.
“I don’t know if there’s one single thing, but collectively as a team, we got different kids hitting the ball,” Hedrick said of what’s impressed him about the offense. “Even if they’re getting out, they’re still getting some good swings. I think that right there is what I’m most happy about.”
Tingler then doubled, followed by an RBI single by Blair Loy.
The Falcons ended the on-base streak with a strikeout before a two-run single from Claire Kaposy and another error added to Petersburg’s lead.
The Vikings finished with 10 players recording at least one hit.
Five had two hits each while Carpenter led Petersburg with three.
Colaw pitched a five-inning complete game, allowing two hits and a walk.
She had two unearned runs and struck out nine.
“She’s our pitcher, our workhorse,” Hedrick said. “I thought she got a little stronger at the end. She’s trying to play catchup. She got a late start but I thought she did an extremely good job today.”
The Falcons combined to allow 17 hits, 13 earned runs and three walks with four strikeouts.
Frankfort also committed four errors including back-to-back in the second inning, both leading to runs.
The Falcons combined for two hits offensively.
Both teams play Friday. Frankfort heads to Mountain Ridge at 4:30 p.m. while Petersburg hosts Moorefield at 5 p.m.