<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3NdiRC_0sGT0Q0l00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3NdiRC_0sGT0Q0l00" width="1100" height="734" ></figure>PARKERSBURG — The early returns are in and already projections are taking shape in the two divisions of the Little Kanawha Conference for high school softball.St. Marys and Roane County made quite a statement in not only the first half of their respective sides of the LKC but have opened eyes around the state with their perfect starts to the 2024 campaigns.Through Wednesday, both programs stood at 10-0. According to the latest MetroNews Coaches Poll, the Blue Devils were a unanimous No. 1 in Class A. The Raiders earned the No. 6 slot in Class AA.“Getting ranked a unanimous No. 1, the kids all feel the same way – they don’t feel in the past they got the recognition that maybe we deserved,” St. Marys coach Lacy Riggs said. “We have played very good ball to this point and the kids are excited to finally get that recognition they deserve.”St. Marys returns all but one starter from last year’s team which placed runner-up at the state tournament. Behind the likes of pitcher Cali Masters along with offensive juggernauts in Breanna Price, Ava Giovinazzo, Layne Kincaid, Brylee McGrady and Ella Bullman just to name a few, the Blue Devils have experienced little drama while outscoring opponents, 94-11.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2vxEKt_0sGT0Q0l00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2vxEKt_0sGT0Q0l00" width="558" height="840" ></figure>“We are moving into the part of our schedule where we will see stiffer competition,” St. Marys coach Lacy Riggs said. “We picked up Logan and Scott this year. I guess we have made a name for ourselves when schools at the next level want to play you.”Both St. Marys and Roane control their own destiny in terms of advancing as the top seeds for the Little Kanawha Conference Tournament. The Raiders, which finished 22-8 after losing to current Class AA No. 1 Herbert Hoover a year ago, have a pair of seniors who are planning to continue their athletic endeavors at the next level.Pitcher Mahailey Nicholson, who will attend Concord University, recently struck out 18 over seven innings. Just as she did last season, Nicholson has thrown every pitch for Roane this season. Her streak of seven straight shutout victories was snapped when Doddridge County scored one run in both games of last Saturday’s doubleheader sweep by the Raiders.Nicholson’s presence on the team extends beyond the softball field.“Hailey organized a deal where middle school and little league softball players came out to a game and were out on the field, lining up for the National Anthem,” said Sam Salvucci, now in his 24th season as the Raiders’ head coach. “There were 28 girls and Hailey did all herself trying to find future Lady Raiders.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3i2Ii5_0sGT0Q0l00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3i2Ii5_0sGT0Q0l00" width="1100" height="738" ></figure>Shortstop Piper Harlan, who is batting .600, plans to play volleyball at the University of Charleston. Her speed is just the beginning of a lengthy trail of Raiders who can create chaos on the basepaths.“We score a lot of runs – we have a lot of kids who can steal a lot of bases,” Salvucci said. “We are strong from one through nine. We really don’t have a weak hitter. And everybody can run.”St. Marys takes depth to another level. Trying to find enough at bats to go around for 17 members on the roster is the main challenge for coach Riggs. Depth is not an issue. “That’s been tough,” Riggs said. “We have tried to be creative and mix things up. We had some games that were blowouts where we tried to get every at least one at bat, but it’s hard to get everybody in.“We preach to the girls to trust us in what we are doing. I go over the lineup for half a day sometimes. Me and my assistant kick around ideas together and try to do what’s best for everybody. It’s a good problem to have.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0W7mWo_0sGT0Q0l00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0W7mWo_0sGT0Q0l00" width="564" height="840" ></figure>Over the next couple of weeks, the schedule features brand new opponents for both schools. Before Tug Valley visits Spencer next week, Roane visits Mary Lou Retton Youth Park this weekend in Fairmont for games against Fairmont Senior and North Marion. One of the assistant coaches for Fairmont Senior played her school softball at Roane County.Salvucci also pointed to a particular stretch later this month when Roane plays five games against LKC opponents over a four-day stretch.That may go a long way in determining whether Roane and St. Marys stay on course to possibly meet each other in a LKC championship game.Speaking of new opponents, Ontario High School (Ohio) is making the three-hour trek to play Williamstown on Friday followed by Saturday’s doubleheader at St. Marys.Regardless of the opponent, the Blue Devils don’t take any opponent lightly. Whether it’s Ontario or a Wahama squad which graduated two Division I players. St. Marys, which has won twice in extra innings this season, defeated Wahama as part of the 10-game winning streak.“We need some game where the girls are put in some high pressure situations, so they will know how to react under pressure,” Riggs said. “The other night in a 4-0 win over Ravenswood, we had a cold game in terms of everything going well. I was glad for the close game.”Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Roane, St. Marys red-hot to begin 2024 campaign

PARKERSBURG — The early returns are in and already projections are taking shape in the two divisions of the Little Kanawha Conference for high school softball. St. Marys and Roane County made quite a statement in not only the first half of their respective sides of the LKC but have opened eyes around the state with their perfect starts to the 2024 campaigns.

Roane, St. Marys red-hot to begin 2024 campaign

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