By Eric Lusk
Sport Editor
elusk@elkintribune.com

EAST BEND — Even not at its sharpest, Forbush’s varsity softball team is still pretty good.

The Falcons struggled to get the bats going at times and committed a couple of uncharacteristic errors Friday against visiting Ashe County but still managed to prevail 3-0.

Forbush scored all three of its runs in the third inning against Ashe senior Kendra Yearick, who has started most of her four seasons at the school.

Jessica Dzeskewicz struck out 12 for the Falcons and held the Huskies to only one hit en route to the important early-season conference victory.

“It was good that we scored those runs early, so we could just relax and play,” Falcons coach Burl Love said. “I feel we can hold off most teams if we can score three runs.”

Forbush, which had gotten only one base runner aboard in the first two innings, started the third with a flurry. Lindsey Mathis singled to lead off, then Taylor Smith followed with a one-out single. Hinkle and Dzeskewicz both doubled in the inning, with Mathis, Smith and Hinkle all coming around to score.

From there, Dzeskewicz worked her magic from the mound. The senior struck out three in the top of the fourth inning and two more in the fifth.

A couple of Forbush errors in the fifth allowed Kim McNeil of Ashe to reach third base. But the Huskies couldn’t get her home, with the last batter of the inning striking out.

Ashe’s lone base hit came with two outs in the top of the seventh. The next batter, though, grounded out to end the game.

Forbush earned another shutout on Tuesday night, blanking North Wilkes 11-0 in six innings in a game played in Hays.

Dzeskewicz was the winning pitcher again. The Falcons improved to 5-0 in the Mountain Valley 2A standings with the two recent shutouts, staying a half game ahead of Starmount. Forbush is now 9-1 overall.

In Tuesday’s game, Forbush went two innings without scratching a run across, then plated three in the third, four in the fifth and four more in the sixth.

Leslie Long went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. She also reached base on an error. Haley Pardue stroked two hits with an RBI. Ciera Cockerham was 2-for-4 with a double. Also hitting doubles for the Falcons were Jessica Hinkle, Long and Lindsey Mathis. Paige Hauser recorded two RBIs, as did Mathis. Stephanie Kirk was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

After plaing Starmount next week, the Falcons turn their attention to Surry Central on April 16.

Forbush 3, Ashe County 0

Friday • at East Bend

Ashe County 000 000 0 — 0

Forbush 003 000 x — 3

WP: Jessica Dzeskewicz; LP: Kendra Yearick