By Chris Parker
The Class 1 state spring softball championship game was a classic pitcher’s duel between Ash Grove’s Meagan Hawkins and Concordia’s Olivia Hemme.
Concordia went up 1-0 in the first inning and that is where the score stayed for the duration of the game.
Hemme led off the game by getting to second on a throwing error. She advanced to third on a groundout to second and then scored on another groundout to second.
That is all the support Hemme would need. She struck out 12 Ash Grove hitters allowing six total baserunners the whole game.
Hawkins matched Hemme for much of the game allowing just three total baserunners with six strikeouts of her own with the one unearned run being the difference.
“She (Hawkins) comes out here in big games and shows up even more. I can count on her to get the job done and put us in a position to win every single time she goes out in the circle,” Ash Grove head coach Austin Tipton said. “We are really going to miss her next year.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Ash Grove also graduates a strong six-player senior class that features Hawkins, Madison Lutz, Masion Grube, Sway Kenney, Chelsye Graham and Ashlyn Gerla. All six played in every game this season.
“They (the seniors) are dedicated. They come in and work hard. I got here last year. Seeing the growth they have made in just two years not only as players but individuals and citizens and student athletes in general is phenomenal. They have really grown in the last two years. Not just the seniors but all of them,” Tipton said.
The successful run spearheaded a renewed interest in softball in Ash Grove
“I had 11 girls last year and 12 this year on the spring teams and this summer we have 20 signed up,” Tipton said. “They don’t realize right now, but the lasting effects they will have on the Ash Grove softball program is something that will carry down the line for a long time.”
Ash Grove concludes the season with a 24-9 record.
