By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Logan-Rogersville Lady Wildcats downed the West Plains Lady Zizzers 6-1 Friday afternoon, in Rogersville, to claim this year’s Class 3 District 11 championship.
The Lady Cats, who fell behind the Zizzers 1-0 after first inning action, rallied to score three runs in the second inning and another three in the fifth to grab the 6-1 win.
It was the third meeting of the year for the two schools. The Zizzers (24-5), who entered the 2017 district tournament seeded first, had defeated the Wildcats (18-10) in the first two. But the losses didn’t dampen Rogersville’s optimism about their chances in Friday’s C3D11 final.
“Some people may have written us off today but not us,” said Wildcat head coach Denny McHenry. “Both of our losses to the Zizzers this year had been close, 3-1 and 4-3, so we knew we could compete with them. We’ve played our best softball late in the season so we felt we were ready. A lot of that can be attributed to our schedule this year. It’s been really tough and it helped to prepare us for the tournament.”
West Plains got on the board first. The Zizzers used two hits in the bottom of the first, off the bats of Karson Smith and Abbey Gann, to jump out in front of the Wildcats 1-0.
But, in the top of the second, Rogersville battled back. The Wildcats put together three hits of their own, doubles by Paige Leithead and Lori Vedder and a single by Julia Marshall to grab a 3-1 lead over the Lady Zizzers.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Rogersville erupted for three more runs, on two hits, in the fifth to push their lead up to 6-1. Lindsay Schatzer and Hunter Bledsoe each singled in the frame.
Picking up the victory for Rogersville was Hunter Bledsoe. The hard throwing senior gave up six hits and struck out nine Zizzer batsmen, with no walks.
After giving up a first inning run to West Plains, Bledsoe managed to keep the Lady Zizzers off balance for the remainder of the game.
“I wanted this win really bad,” said Bledsoe. “I just did my best and relied on our defense. They backed me up really well today.”
Saddled with the loss was Karson Smith. Smith went four and one-third innings giving up five hits while striking out one. She had no walks.
Abbey Gann, who came in to relieve Smith in the fifth, gave up just one hit. She had no strikeouts and issued no free passes.
As difficult a loss as it was for the Zizzers head coach Don Long was still proud of his girls.
“The Wildcats just played better than we did today. That’s the bottom line,” said Long. “Our girls fought hard all the way. They’re a great bunch of kids and I’m very proud of them. They won 24 games this year and tied for the Ozark Conference title. I’d say that was a pretty good season. These kids don’t have anything to hang their heads about.”
For the Wildcats, sectionals are up next.
“I’m not real sure but I think we should play Monett or Cassville on Wednesday at our place,” said Rogersville’s McHenry. “Right now our kids are just enjoying a very big win. Going back to sectionals though is going to be a great feeling.”
For the Wildcat seniors Friday’s victory was a very special one.
“When we were sophomores we won district and moved on to sectionals. But last year we didn’t go, we lost to West Plains,” said Rogersville senior center fielder Hailey Brown. “So, as a senior now, it’s really a cool feeling to get to lead our team on to sectionals this year. It’s our time.”
Box Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F
Rogersville 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 6
West Plains 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Rogersville: Lindsay Schatzer 2-4 (RBI and run scored), Hunter Bledsoe 1-2 (sacrifice), Taylor Marshall 1-3 (RBI and scored run), Lori Vedder 1-3 (RBI-double-scored run), Paige Leithead 1-4 (double and scored run).
West Plains: Karson Smith 2-3 (scored run), Alyssa Sims 1-3 (double), Abbey Gann 1-3 (RBI), Alaina Vick 1-3, Taylor Cecil 1-3.
