Warren East softball returns seeking third straight state championship appearance
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (BVM) — It has been two years since the Warren East High School softball team last took the field when that year’s Lady Raiders squad appeared in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association state championship against Male High School in 2019. That year marked the Lady Raiders’ second consecutive appearance in the state championship game and now with the loss of their season a year ago, Warren East is looking to return to the state’s biggest game this year.
If Monday’s game was any indication of what this Lady Raiders team could be, the team should like its chances to make a third straight appearance.
Led on the mound by junior Emma Markham, Warren East cruised to an easy 6-0 victory in their season opener against Franklin-Simpson High School. Markham was nearly flawless on the mound over the team’s seven innings surrendering only two hits and three walks while striking out 17 batters. Not to be limited by her pitching prowess, Markham also added a RBI base hit in three at-bats.
Markham was given plenty of cushion to work with from the Warren East offense. Junior outfielder Emma Young paced the Lady Raiders with two hits in four at-bats including an RBI triple. Freshman outfielder Rylee Carter was electric in her Lady Raiders debut going a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate including a double while driving in two runs. Senior outfielder Lucy Patterson also added two RBIs on two hits.
As the No. 1-ranked softball team in the state, the Lady Raiders appear well on their way to living up to that distinction. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Warren East should be a team Kentucky softball fans get used to come postseason.
The Lady Raiders will play their next game against Raceland High School on April 3.
