Ritchie County baserunner Chelsie Jeffrey pulls up safely at third base on a ground ball as Man third baseman Alliyah Smith awaits the throw during Wednesday’s Class A state softball tournament game against Man in South Charleston. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

SOUTH CHARLESTON – Weather delays didn’t do Ritchie County softball any favors.

Granted, both Man and the Rebels had to deal with numerous weather interruptions during the first round of Wednesday’s WVSSAC Class A state softball tournament at Little Creek Park’s Rock Field.

However, Ritchie coach Dave Mossor was adamant his starting pitcher Rocklyn Marcum and her style on the mound was affected to a higher degree. As a result, Man responded with runs in the final four innings and sent the Rebels into the loser’s bracket by pulling off a 5-2 win.

The game survived several brief delays of downpours, but was put on hold for nearly two hours due to lightning sightings with Man in front 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning.

“It was because of the rain — Rocklyn is way better than what she did today,” Mossor explained. “That rain just killed us. She is a faster pitcher than the other girls, and the rain takes away from her game.

Ritchie County pitcher Rocklyn Marcum delivers a pitcher during Wednesday’s Class A state softball tournament game against Man in South Charleston. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“You saw what happened — because of the rain both girls threw it all over.”

MaKenzie Maynard’s RBI single increased the Man advantage to 3-1. The Hillbillies tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh inning behind an RBI triple from Mia Johnson and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Erika Mullins.

Ritchie, which stranded 10 runners on base, didn’t go down silently in its final at bat. Ava Satterfield hit an opposite field, one-out double then advanced to third on a ground out. Emily Bush singled to cut the deficit to 5-2 and advanced two bases on a pair of wild pitches.

“We had a couple of good hits but just couldn’t get it going,” Mossor said.

Cassy Hardbarger stepped to the plate and managed a full count before grounding out to second base to send Man into Thursday morning’s semifinal round. The Hillbillies, which did not win a game last season, improved 13-8.

Ritchie County’s Keslee Wass takes a pose for a photo prior to the start of Wednesday’s Class A state softball tournament game against Man in South Charleston. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“We got mercy-ruled every game last year — right now, this team’s confidence is about 1,000%,” said Man coach Randy Epperly, who started six freshmen. “We lost some tough games early this year – we were in games. They started buying into what we were trying to teach them. To have a first-round win, it’s kind of wild for me.”

His freshman pitcher, Johnson, walked Marcum to open Ritchie’s offense. Marcum eventually scored on Kindy Perkins’ two-out RBI single. From that point, Johnson went on the attack and finished with nine strikeouts while scattering seven hits. Johnson also produced at the plate – going 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and two RBIs.

“Pitching (Johnson), I knew it would be overwhelming at times, but she seems to have the knack for putting that away. She gave up that first run because, as she will learn as she goes along, she probably needs to warm up a little more before the game.”

Marcum, one of seven underclassmen in the starting lineup for Ritchie (19-11), also allowed seven hits while striking out nine.

WVSSAC State Softball Tournament

Man baserunner Carley Caserta dives headfirst into home plate ahead of a throw to Ritchie County catcher Cassy Hardbarger to put Man in front 2-1 in the top of the fifth inning during Wednesday’s Class A state softball tournament game against Man in South Charleston. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

At Little Creek Park, South Charleston

Rock Field-B

Quarterfinal

Man 5, Ritchie County 2

Man 000 111 2 – 5 7 0

Ritchie County catcher Cassy Hardbarger checks the dugout for a signal during Wednesday’s Class A state softball tournament game against Man in South Charleston. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

RC 100 000 0 – 2 7 1

WP: Mia Johnson 7IP 7H 2R 5BB 9SO

LP: Rocklyn Marcum 7IP 7H 5R 2BB 9SO

Leading hitters

Man (13-8): Carly Caserta 1-3, 2 runs, 2B; Mia Johnson 2-3, 2 runs, 3B, 2 RBIs; Kylie Bevins 1-3; Erika Mullins 1-1, RBI; Gracie Wheatley 1-4, run; Shyana Frye RBI; MaKenzie Maynard 1-3; Alliyah Smith RBI

Ritchie County players gather on the mound prior to first pitch during Wednesday’s Class A state softball tournament game against Man in South Charleston. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Ritchie (19-11): Rocklyn Marcum run; Chelsie Jeffrey 1-4, 2B; Ava Satterfield 1-4, run, 2B; Rindy Perkins 2-4, RBI; Emily Bush 2-3, RBI; Cassy Hardbarger 1-4.