Lady Dragons sink to Page Panthers in second meeting, 5-1

As spring begins so does a brand new season of high school softball and baseball. After an exciting winter for Monroe sports, this year’s spring sports are expected not to disappoint either.
The baseball team looks to improve on last year’s record of 6-14-1 overall and 4-8 in district play. Coach Mark Arrington has a much more experienced Dragon team this year and looks to shake things up in the Jefferson District.
Meanwhile, Coach Chad Roach and his Lady Dragons softball team aim to get back to the top of the district—and hopefully get a regional berth as in years past; last year was far from one of their better seasons, as they finished just 10-12 overall and just 6-6 in district play.
The varsity softball team faced Page for the second time in this young season on Thursday night, Mach 19. In the first meeting, Page got the best of the Dragons, with Monroe mistakes aiding the loss.
This, too, would prove to be a loss for the Lady Dragons.
In this one, Page jumped out to an early lead, grabbing six hits and five runs in the first two innings against junior pitcher Taylor Collier. The Dragons failed to get anything going early as they struggled to find holes in the defense.
“We hit the ball well today; they just went right at someone,“ said Coach Roach.
Monroe had its first opportunity to score in the third inning, as back-to-back two-out hits had them in business.
But they were unable to get the timely hit to bring home the first run for them in the ball game. The Dragons finally get on the board in the fourth inning, with Melanie Lamb hitting a home run to center field.
Collier settled down after the first two innings, giving up just two hits from the third through the sixth inning. But the bats were quiet; the offense behind her wasn’t able to get anything going.
Monroe was able to come up with just five total hits for the game, losing by a final score of 5-1.
After the game, Coach Roach said: “We played well defensively in this game. We are a veteran team with six seniors this year so we will be alright.“
Leading the Dragons in hitting was Lamb who had two of the five and the only rbi of the game. Samantha Lawson, Kacey Thomas, and Megan Carey added a hit of their own.
The Lady Dragons fell to 0-2 on the season, due to a rain shortened game against Goochland that only made it through the first three innings. Monroe was up 6-0 in that game before it was called in the fourth.
On March 20, the team won at home over Madison.
The Dragons then prepared to hit the road, beginning with an away game on Monday night, March 23, against Goochland to take on the Bulldogs.  On Friday night, March 27, Monroe travels just up the road to Madison were they will take on their rival Mountaineers.