By Rodger Wheeler (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Katelyn Kotlarz struck out 11 Diamond batters and never allowed a Wildcat batter to reach second base, as the Mt. Vernon Lady Mt’neers return to the spring state softball playoffs after a two-year hiatus, downing Diamond 4-0 Thursday, May 2, in Sarcoxie.
The Distirct 11 championship was a pitcher’s duel between Kotlarz and Diamond’s standout freshman Madison Bentley.
“I told her (Bentley) after the game that she threw the best game against us we have seen all season,” said Mt. Vernon head coach Matt Schubert.
The Lady Mt’neers got on the board in the first inning without a base hit, as senior leadoff hitter Lyndsey Hood walked, stole second and third base and came home on a wild pitch. The Lady Mt’neers racked up seven stolen bases in the win.
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That lone run would be enough, but Mt. Vernon added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kotlarz got an RBI single and Reagan Prescott added an RBI single of her own.
But the play of the game, and possibly the game-saving play, was made in the top of the sixth inning when Mt. Vernon senior left fielder Lauren Herbert sprinted to her left on a line-drive shot off the bat of Bentley for Diamond and sacrificed her body, diving for the catch that would have tied the game at 1-1 if it had gotten down.
“That is the best play I have even seen her make in her four-year career,” said Schubert. “It was a game-saving effort, for sure.”
Hood led Mt. Vernon offensively, with three stolen bases and a run scored, while the Lady Mt’neers got base hits from Kotlarz, Prescott, Cydney Short and Madi Schubert.
“This one is most definitely number one,” said Hood, when asked what of all her state runs, including tennis, softball and basketball, means the most. “After two tough losses the last two years, this one feels great.”
The 4-0 win sends the Lady Mt’neers (19-9) into the state sectionals on Monday, May 6, against either Greenfield or Jasper.
