ABINGDON, Va. – Sophie Carver has spent countless hours throwing a softball to her mother in the backyard.

That experience came in handy Saturday afternoon before a large crowd at The Meadows complex.

Carver allowed just one hit and recorded 15 strikeouts as Richlands rolled to an 8-0 win over Culpeper on the opening day of the Virginia State Little League Softball tournament for the Major (age 10-12) division.

Did Carver feel any nerves competing under the spotlight?

“No,” Carver said. “I just relied on my fastball and changeup, and it worked.

Carver is helped by an extensive support system.

For example, her mother (Donna) was a catcher for the Richlands High School softball team in 1998.

“My husband (Johnny) built Sophie a big platform with a mound and tarp, and we work together about every day,” Donna said. “I sit on a bucket and Sophie pitches. Our whole family gets involved.”

Carver also trains with Richlands sophomore player Averi Fuller at the Extra Innings batting cage in Claypool Hill.

Richlands collected just five hits, as leadoff batter Adi Maye Reynolds and Braedi Moore connected for two hits piece. But the Richlands defense was flawless and Carver kept the Culpeper hitters guessing with her change-up.

“I’ve been working on that pitch for two years, and I’m getting better at it,” Carver said. “I was wanting that no-hitter since I had one two years ago.”

Carver planned to celebrate with a visit to South Holston Lake Saturday night.

Richlands manager Matthew Gilbert said Saturday’s victory was just the latest achievement for a group that has been developing for several years.

Two years ago, Richlands lost to King William in the title game of the 8-9-10 state tournament at Coeburn.

“These girls remember that game, and it’s been a motivator,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert said the mix on his roster includes seven 12-year-olds and five 11-year-olds.

“A lot of our girls also play travel ball, so they are used to big crowds and tough competition every weekend,” Gilbert said.

The balance between travel ball and Little League has been one of the hottest issues in youth league sports across the nation for several years.

“I think the only way to keep Little League going is to work together with travel ball coaches and players. If you don’t do that, Litte League is just going to die out,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert, who played football at Richlands, has coached in the Richlands Little League system for six years with basically the same group of athletes. His 11-year-old daughter, Jayden, is the other ace pitcher for Richlands and she has studied with famed Roanoke-based pitching instructor Denny Tincher for the past three months.

“I think our coaches were more nervous than our players today, but we didn’t let them see that,” Gilbert said. “We just wanted to keep their confidence up and encourage them to show what we’re capable of.”

Jayden Gilbert and Carver will split time in the circle this week. Carver has also worked with Tincher.

“The sky is the limit for our team and our two pitchers,” Coach Gilbert said. “Their fastballs are in the 56-mph range. With only have three miles per hour difference.”

Damascus pitcher Kenley Hill was almost as impressive as Carver as she guided her team to a 9-1 victory over Plaza.

Hill collected 11 strikeouts and walked just one en route to a two-hitter.

“I was really nervous, but I was ready to help my team,” Hill said.

Former Patrick Henry pitching great and longtime college and high school coach Nichole Poore has mentored Hill since she was in third grade.

“Coach Poore is a really good coach and I usually work with her once or twice a week. That experience has helped me out a lot,” Hill said.

Hill stuck with the basics Saturday.

“Fastball and changeup, and my fastball was working really good,” Hill said. “Getting this first win will give us all confidence.

Layle Forrester supplied three hits for Damascus, while Jade Shuler drove in two runs.

Damascus is managed by Stacy Wright Long, who earned all-state honors as a pitcher on a Class A state semifinal softball team at Holston High School in 1998. Long has assisted Hill on pitching fundamentals.

Damascus also qualified the state tournament last year in the 9-10-11 division.

“Since we weren’t able to travel last year, this is the first year competing at state for this age group,” Long said. “Damascus and Holston have good traditions for softball. We want to add to that tradition and we had a great show of support from our community today.”

Balance is the byword for Damascus.

“We have solid pitching with Kenley and Kinzley DiPietro, good hitting throughout the lineup, and strong defense,” Long said. “These girls have played together since they were tiny.”

The good news for local teams continued in the evening session as Saltville downed Botetourt County 16-1 and Union beat Western Branch 12-2.

Pyper Chapman and Eliana Poore each contributed two hits for Saltville, while leadoff batter Myami Roberts drove in three runs.

Saltville scored 15 runs in the second inning and compiled a total of 11 hits. Chapman allowed just one hit and struck out eight in that contest that was ended after the top of the third inning.

In the Union victory, Ava Addison delivered three hits and Belle Wagner added two. Wagner also recorded eight strikeouts over four innings.

In other games, King William defeated Bedford County 9-2, traditional power McLean rapped out 16 hits in a 11-1 victory over Bridgewater, South County defeated Prince William County 12-4, and Poquoson edged Chesterfield 11-7.

Sunday’s schedule will feature Saltville-Poquoson at 3, Union-Bridgewater at 3:30, Damascus-South County at 6 and a Richlands-King William rematch at 6:30.

In the 9-10-11 tournament also at Abingdon, Coeburn dropped a 14-6 decision to Bennetts Creek Saturday morning. Coeburn collected two hits, but was hurt by nine defensive miscues.

Clinch River took a 14-1 win over Loudoun South behind a 16-hit attack and McLean thumped Azalea 18-0.

Rylie Sayler, Linda Rasnake and Spencer Phillips each delivered two hits for Clinch River, while Salyer and Kadence Culbertson combined for eight strikeouts.

In Sunday’s winner bracket, Abingdon will face Bennetts Creek at 10 a.m. and Clinch River challenges McLean at 1.

Coeburn awaits the loser of the Clinch River-McLean matchup Monday morning at 10.

Virginia 8-10 Age Division State Tournament

Fort Hunt 13, Ridgeview 1

Virginia State 9-10-11 Tournament

At The Meadows (Abingdon)

Clinch River 14, Loudoun South 1

Bennetts Creek 14, Coeburn 6

Virginia State Major (10-11-12) Tournament

At The Meadows (Abingdon)

Saltville 16, Botetourt County 1

Union 12, Western Branch 2

King William 9, Bedford-American 2

South County 12, Prince William County 4

Poquoson 11, Chesterfield 7