Buchholz Softball Falls Short to Ridgeview in Home Opener

Buchholz Bobcats softball fell 5-2 to Orange Park Ridgeview in its home opener Thursday after allowing the Panthers to overcome a two-run deficit with misplays. 

“I think we’re going to have some ups and downs, just because we’re so young,” Buchholz coach Will Hooper said. “We’re lacking a bit of experience, but we’re a very talented team.”

Freshman Madison Hooper started in the circle for the Bobcats (3-2). After a strong top of the first, she sparked the offense with an RBI single in the bottom half to give Buchholz a 1-0 lead.

In the second, the teams went three up and three down. Ridgeview (1-4) stranded two on base in the third to remain scoreless. 

The Bobcats took a 2-0 lead in the third when freshman Claire Gosse scored on a wild pitch. 

Pitching remained dominant in the fourth with the teams going scoreless. 

However, the Panthers were able to get the offense started in the fifth with RBI singles by Bella Jeffers and Kasey Watts to tie the game at 2-all.

Hooper (1-1) was pulled after allowing a single in the sixth. She finished with two strikeouts, but allowed eight hits, two walks and two earned runs. 

The Panthers then took their first lead, 3-2, in the sixth on a wild pitch from Bobcat senior Jurnee Reed. 

“In the beginning, our energy was really (good), and we were looking for a win,” Madison Hooper said. “We started getting behind, and it just kind of went downhill from there.”

Buchholz continued its struggle on offense in the sixth by failing to score after one hit.

Ridgeview extended its lead in the seventh to 5-2 on a wild pitch and a walk with the bases loaded. 

The Bobcats attempted a rally in the home half by reaching on a double by freshman Grace Lariz-McDaniel, but a groundout ended the game. 

Buchholz had nine hits while striking out eight times. The Panthers ended the game with nine hits, but were able to capitalize on Buchholz’s single error.

Buchholz will stay home to play St. Johns Bartram Trail (3-2) at 7 p.m. Friday.

“It’s going to be a really tough game,” Will Hooper said. “They’re going to come after us.”

Category: Buchholz High School, High School Sports, Softball