WVSSAC State Softball Tournament<\/p>\n
By Ben Anderson, FM88 Sports Director<\/p>\n
June 2, 2026<\/p>\n
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WMUL-FM) \u2014 It turns out the Cabell Midland Knights did not need a sword to go into battle to defend its state championship, but rather the lightning arm of Drea Watts.<\/p>\n
Watts achieved the rarest feat for a pitcher in the circle, in the Knights 9-0, five-inning run-rule victory over the Jefferson Cougars in the WVSSAC Class AAAA State Tournament.<\/p>\n
Watts was electric at the beginning, after retiring the first batter of the game via a line-drive to third base, struck out the next eight with the first seven via going down swinging. Watts only retired four batters not via strikeout.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t say that there was that much pressure.\u201d Watts said. \u201cGoing into it, I didn\u2019t really know what we were getting into, but after that first inning, I feel like we set the tone, and I feel like we were pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s a workhorse,\u201d Knights assistant coach Jason Harris said. \u201cI told her about game 12 that she spoils us because she does her job every game. She spins the ball really well. They [the Knights] feed off her when we hit the ball. She knows they can back her up. So, she goes and does her job.\u201d<\/p>\n
With this being the first year of an eight-team tournament, the No. 1 vs No. 8 match up brought a lot of questions of how the tournament would play out with more teams.<\/p>\n
The offensive star power of the Knights was as lights out as Watts in the circle. Cabell Midland started the bottom of the first with a lead-off double into centerfield by Syracuse commit Becca Conrad. The Knights went on to score four runs on two hits, and three errors from the Cougars.<\/p>\n
The Knights continued the offensive onslaught with four straight singles that included a 2 RBI single from Katelynn Harless to make the score 6-0. Cabell Midland added three more runs with a three-run moonshot into right centerfield from Conrad to make the final score 9-0.<\/p>\n
\u201cI figured that she jammed me my second at bat,\u201d Conrad said. \u201cSo, I was just waiting for her to go in and she left one out. So, I just went with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the win Cabell Midland advances to the winner\u2019s bracket and will play at 9 a.m. tomorrow against Morgantown. Jefferson will play in a loser\u2019s bracket win or go home game tonight against Hurricane.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
JEFFERSON 000 00 \u2013 0 0 4<\/p>\n
CABELL M. 423 0 X \u2013 9 9 0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pitching: J: Hunt, Rummel (1) & Clark; CB: Watts, & McCallister<\/p>\n
Batting: CB: Conrad 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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