Parkersburg South’s Addison Moon is welcomed at home plate by her teammates after hitting a solo home run during the Patriots’14-0 win over Ravenswood, Thursday at Godbey Fields.(Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg South embraced Senior Night to the fullest.

Prior to the start of Thursday’s softball game with Ravenswood at Godbey Fields, the Patriots celebrated the contributions of four members in their final year with the high school program.

As Shyanne Hays, Payton Mackey, Jaiden Vargas and Karlie Short were onto the diamond by family members, fireworks sparkled above the center field fence.

Once the South offense saw its first pitch, every player in the lineup played loose and unleashed for 14 runs on 10 hits — including six extra base hits which consisted of solo home runs by Annie Shelton and Addison Moon — for a 14-0, five-inning win over the Red Devilettes.

What were once sniffles during an emotional pregame ceremony turned into celebration as South improved to 16-6. Mackey and Hays, in particular, flooded the playing field with tears as they shared a lengthy hug.

Parkersburg South’s Payton Mackey shares an emotional moment with teammate Shyanne Hays as part of Thursday’s Senior Night festivities prior to a game with Ravenswood at Godbey Fields. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“Shyanne and I have played this sport together since we were, shoot, together since maybe 6 years old — we’re just best friends,” Mackey said. “We played volleyball together, we played softball together. We just always grew up around each other. She is my best friend, and it’s so special that we got to share our senior night in volleyball together, and now in softball.”

On the defensive end, South’s defense kept their gloves relatively clean as starting pitcher Annie Shelton struck out 12 and walked none while scattering three singles. After Layna Whited led off the game for Ravenswood with a sure single back through the box, Shelton retired 10 straight, including eight on punchouts.

The sophomore’s first strikeout of the game, which occurred on the second Ravenswood batter of the game, marked Shelton’s 400th high school career strikeout. She still has two-plus seasons remaining.

“There is no specific number I am looking at — I am just trying to be the best me and trying to be out there for my teammates,” Shelton said. “I’m just trying to take it one pitch at a time, just go attack better and find a way to win.”

No Ravenswood batter reached second base. Meanwhile, South scored in every inning. Abbie Corbin led off the home half of the first inning getting hit by a pitch and Shelton reached safely when a fielder’s choice attempt went wrong.

Parkersburg South starting pitcher Annie Shelton recorded her 400th career strikeout as part of her 12 punch outs in Thursday’s 14-0 win over Ravenswood at Godbey Fields. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

With one out, Mackey doubled in the first Patriot run. Vargas followed with a sacrifice fly which put the Patriots in front 2-0.

In the second inning, Moon led off with a single — one of three hits in as many at bats for the junior. Moon was erased on the basepaths on a force out, but Allison Curfman took advantage of one of seven Ravenswood errors to put runners at first and second base.

With two outs, Shelton doubled to the gap in right-center field for yet another South run. Next in line, Hays doubled home two more runs. Yet another infield error with Mackey at the plate resulted in a fourth run scoring all with two outs.

In the third inning, Moon scattered several people watching beyond the left-field fence for a solo home run and a 7-0 South lead.

The crosswind blowing didn’t have any effect on Shelton’s plate appearance to open the fourth inning, either. On the first pitch, her liner sailed over the center field fence with plenty of room to spare.

Parkersburg South’s Abbie Corbin shows her first base coach where she was hit by a pitch during Thursday’s game against Ravenswood at Godbey Fields. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

South busted out for seven runs in the fourth inning. Combined with three errors, South used Vargas’ RBI double and Shelton’s two-run single to put the game on ice. Shelton, who was one triple shy of a cycle, finished with four RBIs.

Ravenswood starting pitcher Kenzie Shumate deserved a better fate after striking out three and walking none over four innings of work.

“Playing with so many different teams and for this to be my last go-around, there was something about this being a little more special,” Hays said. “We are trying to leave a good impression on all these kids here and doing the best I can.

“We were just trying to make the most of tonight. There were a lot of emotions released before the game. We just went out there and had fun. This is the most loose we played all year. Enjoying the presence of each other was the most important thing.”

At Godbey Fields

Ravenswood’s Kenzie Shumate pitched all four innings during Thursday’s 14-0 loss to Parkersburg South at Godbey Fields. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Parkersburg South 14, Ravenswood 0

Ravenswood 000 00 – 0 3 7

South 241 7x – 14 10 0

WP: Annie Shelton 5.0IP 3H 0R 0BB 12SO

LP: Kenzie Shumate 4.0IP 10H 14R 0BB 3SO

Parkersburg South’s Jaiden Vargas, middle, is escorted by her parents during Senior Night festivities, Thursday at Godbey Fields. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Leading hitters

Ravenswood (10-10): Layne White 1-2; Josie Caldwell 1-2; Peyton Mast 1-2

South (16-6): Annie Shelton 3=4,3 runs, 2B, HR, 4 RBIs; Shyanne Hays 1-3, 2 runs, 2B, 2 RBIs, SB; Payton Mackey 2-3,run, 2B, RBI; Jaiden Vargas 1-2, run, 2B, 2 RBIs; Addison Moon 3-3, 2 runs, HR, RBI; Annalynn Windland 2 runs, Allison Curfman run; Mia Archer run

Next game: St. Marys at Parkersburg South, Tuesday; Ravenswood at Ritchie County, Friday (May 8).

Parkersburg South recognized four members of the senior class prior to Thursday’s game with Ravenwood at Godbey Fields. Pictured, from left, are: Payton Mackey, Shyanne Hays, Jaiden Vargas and Karlie Short. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)