University softball bows out of 2025 state tournament with 5-1 defeat to Jefferson

Dominion Post

2 days ago

SOUTH CHARLESTON – The University High School softball team saw its 2025 season come to a close in the WVSSAC state softball tournament at Little Creek Park on Saturday morning with a 5-1 defeat to Jefferson in an elimination game to kick off Day 2 of action.
The Cougars used a strong outing in the circle from Jersey Rummel and some sound defense behind her to stifle the Hawks' normally potent offense and earn their way into the Class AAAA championship series later this afternoon against Cabell Midland.
'We just didn't get the hits we needed when we needed them,' MHS head coach Mindy Parks said. 'It was a very situational game, and things just didn't go our way. It happens that way sometimes, and we know that.'
Eight hits yielded only one run as the Hawks stranded eight runners on base. Three of those hits came in the top of the first inning as it seemed UHS had momentum early, loading the bases with only one out.
Lexi Elza hit a bouncer to the pitcher that allowed Maddie Campbell to score the game's opening run, but the Hawks wouldn't cross the plate again in the contest.
A four-run third inning gave Jefferson the boost it needed to take control and never look back in a key postseason matchup against University High School.
The Cougars strung together five consecutive hits to open the third, starting with a run-scoring double from Brooke Allen. Grace Dodson and Savannah Smith followed with RBI singles, and Caroline Abe capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to center, giving Jefferson a 4–1 lead.
From that point on, Rummel settled in, allowing just one hit per inning from the second through the sixth. With a comfortable lead behind her, she pitched confidently, trusting her defense.
Jefferson added another run in the sixth when Ainsley Phillips led off with a triple and scored on Madison Clark's double, giving Rummel a four-run cushion to finish the final two frames.
The Cougars finished with 13 hits, led by Allen, who went 3-for-4. Rummel, Smith, and Clark each had two hits.
For UHS, Sophia Lehosit allowed four runs over two innings, while Maddie Campbell delivered five strong innings in relief, giving up just one run on five hits.
University High, last year's Class AAA state champion, ended the season 24-7-1. A tough 6–5 loss to Cabell Midland on Friday night pushed them into the losers' bracket, making their path back to the title an uphill battle.
'We know what it's like to be in the winner's bracket, and we said last night this is going to be hard,' said head coach Parks. 'We didn't get in bed until midnight, and then we're up early, but that's just part of the game. Yesterday was a very long day for everybody.'
UHS will say goodbye to a lone senior in Kelsey Park, whose impact will be missed, but will return key players on the team next season as the Hawks aim to return to Little Creek Park to fight for a state championship.
'We'll be back,' Parks said. 'I'm confident in that. These girls will be hungry next season.
BOX SCORE
Jefferson 5, University 1
UHS 100 000 0 – 1 8 0
JHS 004 001 0 – 5 13 1
University (1-2) – Park 4020 Campbell 4100 Lehosit 3010 Masoner 3010 Elza 3021 Cox 3000 Brown 3010 Shaver 2010 Royce 2000
Jefferson (2-1) – Cowan 4010 Rummel 4120 Munslow 4110 Allen 4131 Dodson 4111 Smith 3021 Abe 2001 Phillips 3110 Clark 3021
3B: Phillips
(W) Rummel 7.0ip 9h 1r 1bb 1k
(L) Lehosit 2.0ip 8h 4r 1bb 2k