By Twin Valley (7-11) at Chilhowie (13-9)
The Skinny: Keep an eye on the two head coaches in this game. … Chilhowie coach John Sabo is the dean of Southwest Virginia softball coaches and is aiming for career win No. 566 today. Meanwhile, this could be Twin Valley coach Brittany Russell Belcher’s final game at the helm of the Panthers as she recently accepted a job as an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. “This has been an enjoyable season to go out on,” Belcher said. “We have won more games than people expected and I think we have had a good showing this season and have really surprised some people. I have enjoyed my time coaching at Twin Valley High School.” … Rayne Hawthorne (.327 batting average), Leya Vanover (.270), Ashleigh Davis (.333) and Chey Davis (.333) have been top hitters for TV. … Chilhowie finished as runner-up to Honaker in the Hogoheegee District tournament. The Warriors have one of the youngest teams in Southwest Virginia. Sophomore shortstop Lexi Williams (.400, three home runs, 11 RBIs), freshman Kylee Dancy (.365, three home runs, 20 RBIs), freshman Anna Ramirez (.516, two home runs, 27 RBIs), sophomore Denesa Martin (.289, 10 doubles) and sophomore pitcher Emmaline Dowell (9-7; .301, 10 RBIs) are the leaders of that youth movement. … Chilhowie has two wins over Southwest District tournament champion Marion. “These young girls have a good work ethic, love softball and work great together,” Sabo said.
Up Next: The winner plays at Eastside on Friday at 6 p.m. in the quarterfinals.
