Lady Lancers beat Liberty 3-1

On senior night, May 1, Amherst softball coach Larry Thomas handed out a rose along with a hug to his five seniors. In return, his girls gave him a 3-1 Seminole District win over Liberty.

The victory put the Lady Lancers in a tie for third place with Rustburg.

On May 13 the Amherst squad will take the short trip to Campbell County to battle the first place Brookville Bees. In mid-April, the Bees squeaked out a 4-2 win over Amherst.

In the win over Liberty, the Lady Lancers tied the game at one each when Renesha Chiles scored on a double by Shauna Douglas.

The third inning had April Pugh reaching base via walk followed by Chiles getting aboard on a fielder’s choice.

Tori Irvin hit a single, driving home Pugh and Chiles for the lead and the game’s last score from either side.

Chiles is swinging the big stick for her club with a monster .544 batting average. “We hope to get players in front of her on base so she can drive them in,” Thomas said.

Chiles has scored 17 runs while knocking in 18 more. Irvin is close behind, batting .519.

Chiles is also a tough defensive player, as last year she was the top vote-getter for outfielders in the Seminole District.

Nia Chiles is Renesha’s younger sister and one of two freshman playing varsity for Thomas. The younger Chiles has a pitching record of 2-0. “She is a pleasant surprise,” Thomas said. “She can play any position and she is lightning quick.”

The Amherst mound duties fall upon junior Sydney Lewis, who has struck out 66 batters in 61 innings pitched. She has posted a 5-4 record, but Thomas pointed out that their defense has commited several errors.

The Lady Lancers have a 10-4 overall record and are one win above .500 in the Seminole standings at 5-4.