By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Ozark Lady Tigers bounced the Nixa Lady Eagles 8-4, on Saturday morning in Branson, to lay claim to this year’s 2016 Class 4 District 11 Championship.
It was a big win for the Tigers, who after faltering in last year’s final to the Kickapoo Chiefs, collected their fifth district title in six years.
“Brooke Pridgen did a good job on the mound for us today and we got a solid defensive effort behind her,” said Ozark head coach Yancy Little. “Offensively our girls hit the ball hard and they limited their strikeouts. They were also able to put together some timely hits, when we needed them. This was a big win for us and I am very proud of the effort our girls put out today.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Ozark wasted no time at the plate, as the game got underway, and jumped out in front of the Eagles 2-0 in the bottom half of the opening frame.
A leadoff single, and a stolen base, by senior shortstop Bre Johnson got the Tigers rolling in the inning. Johnson would go on to score on an RBI single by sophomore first baseman Makenna Harmon. Harmon also found her way home via a single off the bat of Tiger catcher Nya Morgan.
Ozark added a lone run in the bottom of the fourth to go up 3-0.
The Lady Eagle bats came to life in the top of the fifth. With junior outfielder Lauren Herman on second, after having singled to open up the inning, senior shortstop Samantha Hargis doubled to left field for an RBI and closed the Tiger lead to 3-1.
But Saturday’s championship belonged to the Tigers. Nobody was going to deny them a district title and a trip to the state playoffs in 2016, especially after having to set out post-season play last year.
Undaunted Ozark answered with two runs of their own, in the bottom half of the fifth, to climb back out in front 5-1.
Nixa added another run in the top of the sixth and two more in the seventh but couldn’t overcome the onslaught of Tiger bats. The Lady Tigers tallied three more times in the bottom of the sixth and then held on to register an 8-4 victory en route to this years district title.
Pridgen, in picking up the victory, allowed the Eagles nine hits. She struck out two and had just one walk. Only two of the Eagle’s four runs were earned.
“Nixa put pressure on us throughout the game, especially in the later innings,” Little said. “But Brooke came through with some big pitches for us when we needed them. She’s a real competitor and she works hard to keep hitters off balance. She also knows that she has a great defense behind her, a defense that can make plays for her, as they did today.”
Taking the loss was Eagle sophomore hurler Morgan Jones. Jones gave up eleven hits, struck out three and walked just two. Of the eight runs scored by the Tigers, only five were earned.
“Morgan pitched well for us today,” said Eagle head coach Matt Walker. “Morgan is just a sophomore, and she’s going to have a bright future, so that’s good for us. We’re going to have her with us for another two years.”
But while Jones will be coming back the Eagles will be missing the services of three very key seniors, seniors who helped get this year’s ball club to the C4D11 final. Lost to graduation will be senior catcher Ashlynn Robertson, shortstop Samantha Hargis and right fielder Alyssa Zollner.
“We lost our first three games of the year and I was a little bit worried,” said Walker. “But our girls got it all together, winning eight of their last ten and getting here to the C4D11 final. I’m really proud of these kids- they’re all very special.”
Ozark now moves on to sectional play next week.
Box Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F
Nixa 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 4
Ozark 2 0 0 1 2 3 x 8
Leading hitters:
Ozark- Nya Morgan 3-3 (2 RBI’s), Bre Johnson 3-4, Makenna Harmon 2-4 (RBI), Kara Ford 1-2 (RBI), Emma Taylor 1-3 (RBI), Ashley Marshall 1-3.
Nixa- Samantha Hargis 2-3 (2B-RBI), Morgan Jones 1-4 (2B-RBI), Ashlyn Robertson 1-4 (RBI), Shaelyn Milligan 1-4, Payton Ward 2-3, Alyssa Zollner 1-3 (2B-RBI), Lauren Herman 1-3.
