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By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Mt. Vernon, Mo. — Mt. Vernon struck early and often during Monday’s 16-1 victory over Greenfield in a sectional round matchup.
The Lady Mountaineers scored seven runs in the first inning, five in the third and another four in the fifth to secure the win.
Senior Madi Schubert drove in four runs and was 3-4 on an afternoon that saw the Mt. Vernon lineup amass 16 hits.
In the circle, Mt. Vernon was even more dominant with Katelyn Kotlarz throwing a one-hit gem with ten strikeouts.
Head coach Matt Schubert has been pleased with the overall team output heading into the early postseason rounds.
“That’s what it’s been the last week and a half, two weeks,” Coach Schubert said. “Katelyn pitching really well in the circle, and we’ve been able to scratch out enough runs here and there to make sure we’re in a position to win at the end.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Nearly unhittable on the afternoon, Kotlarz was perfect through the first four innings with nine of her ten strikeouts during that stretch.
The junior right hander was particularly effective throwing her high-velocity rise ball up in the zone.
“They really like to chase that pitch,” Kotlarz said. “And if they like to, we like to keep throwing it, but it just kind of depends on the batters and if they’re willing to chase after it.”
Greenfield’s Kiarra Mai broke up the spotless card with a leadoff double in the fifth inning. Following a stolen base, the senior catcher scored on a ground ball from Jaden Baker.
Kotlarz then struck out next hitter to end the game and prompt an extremely subdued celebration.
Mt. Vernon won a state title in 2016, and Coach Schubert feels his team’s focus and preparation is locked in on the chase for another.
“Our seniors were part of that state championship run when they were freshmen,” Coach Schubert said. “They understand the atmosphere that it took, and we played some really intense games that year. They’ve been able to share that with the younger girls that haven’t been in that situation yet.”
Next up for Mt. Vernon is a quarterfinal matchup at Purdy on Thursday, May 9.
The Lady Eagles defeated Forsyth 3-0.
Sectional final: Mt. Vernon – 16, Greenfield – 1
Mt. Vernon 7 0 5 0 4 x x — 16
Greenfield 0 0 0 0 1 x x — 1
Hits: Mt. Vernon – 16, Greenfield – 1
Errors: Mt. Vernon – 0, Greenfield – 6
LOB: Mt. Vernon – 6, Greenfield – 0
2B: Mt. Vernon (Harper Looney – 1), Greenfield (Kiarra Mai – 1)
RBI: Mt. Vernon (Madi Schubert – 4, Katelyn Kotlarz – 2, Raegan Prescott – 2, Raelin Swillum – 2, Lyndsey Hood – 1, Kassidy Anderson – 1, Hadley Cornell – 1, Harper Looney – 1) Greenfield (Jaden Baker – 1)
Mt. Vernon Pitching
Katelyn Kotlarz (5.00 IP, 10K, 1H, 0BB)
Greenfield Pitching
Rendie Burns (5.00 IP, 0K, 19H, 3BB)
Time of game: 1:11
