The Nine, a local traveling softball team comprised of players from Magnolia, River and Paden City High Schools, opened their summer season with a runner-up finish in the ASA Memorial Day Invitational Tournament held at the Sue Morris Complex in Glenville, WV.

Maddie Taylor hit a leadoff triple in the top of the first inning against the Gilmer County Crush. She scored when Audrey Gibb ripped a single to left and Monica Curtis and Erinn Clegg each followed up with RBI singles. After a walk to Anna Gibb, Brissa Marshall then cleared the bases with a two-run triple and the route was on to a 12-1 victory for The Nine.

Audrey Gibb finished the game with three hits and three runs batted in. Abby Durig added an RBI double to go with a Mackenzie Marshall run scoring single. Monica Curtis was the winning pitcher with six strikeouts.

After losing game two against the WV Amp, The Nine came to life again to finish pool play with a strong with a 5-2 victory over the WV Lady Lightning. Abby Durig drove in Katie Blatt and Brissa Marshall with a single and Davianne Croasmun and Marshall each had RBI singles. Curtis was again the winning pitcher.

Coincidentally, The Nine were matched up again with the WV Lady Lightning in the knockout round on day two, winning by a score of 6-5. Marshall drove in Taylor Cosper and Durig with a single. Curtis and Croasmun each contributed RBI base hits.

Curtis won her third game of the weekend from the mound. Next up was the championship game with another shot at WV Amp. Even though the result was the same, the score was a bit closer at 7-3.

The Nine fell behind early but mounted a comeback with RBIs by Curtis, Croasmun and Clegg.

After the conclusion of the tournament,

The Nine’s Head Coach, Tom Clegg, received a special message from ASA Regional Director John McPhail commending the team on their play and thanking the parents and fans for their behavior and cooperation.