WASHINGTON — In what was a truly magical season for the Washington Pam Pack softball team, they lost their first game of the year to East Randolph in the fourth round of the 2-A state playoffs on Friday night, 3-0.

The Pam Pack were known for their almost flawless defense this season, as head coach Doug Whitehead raved about it after the majority of their games. On Friday, some very uncharacteristic errors were their downfall.

In the first inning, two of the first three batters reached on an error, which eventually led to two early runs and set the tone for the rest of the game.

“We hiccupped early and that’s what it came down to,” Whitehead said. “It’s one of those things that we don’t normally do. But, when you get this far into (the playoffs) if you have a hiccup that’s what is going to happen.”

After Pam Pack pitcher Abbi Tucker shut down the Wildcats for four innings after the first, they were able to cash in an insurance run in the sixth with a double and an RBI-triple to extend their lead to 3-0.

East Randolph sophomore pitcher Savannah Beaver threw a complete game, one-hit shut out. The lefty used a mixture of curveballs tailing away from left-handed hitters, painting the outside corner on the right-handers and a nasty drop ball that the Pam Pack batters were never able to square up. Beaver only surrendered one free pass. Washington’s Sydney Keech was hit by a pitch in the seventh inning to bring the tying run to the plate after Emme Davis reached on a single to right field; The only hit the Pam Pack managed in the game.

Washington senior Lily Wright came to the plate and battled. She eventually made solid contact and drove a pitch deep to right field but it was run down by the Wildcats’ right fielder to end the game.

“I’m still proud of these girls,” Whitehead said. “(The pitcher from East Randolph) is as good as I’ve seen. She’s got a drop ball that is unbelievable. She can make it fall in a bucket without a doubt.”

The loss was definitely emotional for the Pam Pack, as they will lose five seniors — Desiree Maurizzio, Summer Campbell, Macie Main, Keech, and Wright.

“It’s been amazing, I loved every second of it,” Campbell said about her senior season. “I’m going to miss these girls, I know how much they love the game.”

Campbell will go on to play college ball next year at Pitt Community College.

“(My best memory) was last year at D.H. Conley,” Campbell said. “I pitched, and I never pitch, unless somebody is dying. Sydney was catching because (Davis) and (Tucker) were both sick, but we won 3-1. I hit a home run and scored all three runs that game. My best game of my high school career.”

The Pam Pack will have four seniors on next year’s squad — Grace Paszt, Kaylee Elks, Tucker, and Davis.