The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy softball team appeared to be on a positive trajectory entering its state semifinal game on Thursday against Greenbrier Christian Academy. While the Lady Saints lost to GCA 15-0 during the season, it fell by only a 3-0 margin in the conference tournament title game.

Strong pitching from Kayla Harris of the Lady Gators and NSA’s inability to string together hits spelled the end of the Lady Saints’ season with a 7-0 loss in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II playoffs at the Petersburg Sports Complex.

“We just didn’t do our job at the plate, weren’t making the adjustments we needed to make,” NSA assistant coach Brittany Wilkins said.

Harris, on the other hand, got things started early for Greenbrier offensively, as well, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning.

Sophomore Caylin Harris and eighth-grader Delaney Walker accounted for one hit apiece, the Lady Saints’ total amount for the game.

While it was a disappointing conclusion, NSA’s season was still a pleasant surprise for many.

“I don’t think it was really expected from an outsiders’ point of view for us to be playing in the state semifinals tonight,” Wilkins said.

Nansemond-Suffolk entered this season having lost six starters to graduation, but Wilkins said that they viewed this season as a reloading year, rather than a rebuilding one.