By Chris Parker
It is generally just a matter of time when it comes to the Diamond softball team’s offense.
“Sometimes it just takes us a little while to adjust and then one person ignites a fire and then it seems like the momentum starts,” Diamond head coach Kelsey Parrish said.
That fire ignited into a 10-run explosion in the fifth inning Diamond’s Class 2 state semifinal game against Willow Springs on Monday at Killian Sports Complex in Springfield. The Wildcats won the game 13-3, which was finished off by a walk-off home run from Caitlyn Suhrie in the sixth inning.
Diamond sent 15 batters to the plate in the deciding fifth inning knocking 10 hits with four of the hits going for extra bases.
Early on, Willow Springs pitcher Emma Spence was a magician in the circle. Diamond loaded the bases several times in the first four innings, but Spence was able to work around the jams only allowing two runs through four innings.
The Willow Springs offense was also strong early, getting three runs across the plate in the top of the second inning to take a 3-1 lead. The Bears remained in front until the fifth inning explosion from the Diamond offense.
One change Diamond made in the second inning was summoning Suhrie from centerfield to center circle to pitch in relief.
Suhrie was lights out for the remaining 4.2 innings of the game not allowing a run while striking out seven with two walks and two hits.
“That kid (Suhrie) is clutch,” Parrish said. “We could tell she knew what her job was, and she came in and did it well.”
Diamond finished with 13 runs on 18 hits. Suhrie was 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs and three RBI. Kabrie Parmely was a spark out of the ninth spot in the order, going 4-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
As a team, Diamond had seven extra-base hits in the game.
The Wildcats advance to face Kennett in Tuesday’s Class 2 state championship game. Diamond beat Kennett 11-1 in a regular-season matchup on Apr. 5.
“Kennett is a solid ball team. We have to go in there with the mindset that anybody can be beat. We just have to play our ball game,” Parrish said.
Diamond will seek its second state title in three years at 11:00 am on Saturday at Killian Sports Complex in Springfield.
Willow Springs finished fourth in Class 2 after a 5-2 loss to Lone Jack in the third-place game.
