By Matt Turer — mturer@ky3.com
@MattTurer
Purdy, Mo. — Beating Mt. Vernon in two tries already this year wasn’t enough for Purdy.
The last time the Mountaineers stepped onto Purdy’s field they eliminated the favored Lady Eagles in the state quarterfinals on their way to a state title. Purdy didn’t forget.
“That was on our kids’ minds, especially the upperclassmen,” Purdy head coach Lori Videmscheck said. “They didn’t like that feeling [last year]. So they came out and played well today.”
CLICK HERE FOR MT. VERNON VS. PURDY PHOTOS
Five Lady Eagles finished with two hits and freshman Kylie Wood drove in a pair of runs, one on a second-inning sacrifice fly that tied the game 1-1 and one on a third-inning single putting Purdy (17-1) up 5-1 in Thursday’s 9-3 final over Mt. Vernon (10-10).
Purdy is now 3-0 this season against last year’s state champions, outscoring the Mountaineers 30-5.
“This year’s team is a lot different,” Mt. Vernon head coach Matt Schubert said. “We’ve got a few young people still learning on the job. We’re finally starting to get it figured out, and today was a positive. We had a lot better at-bats today than [last time we played them]. Our defense is getting better day by day.”
Purdy’s one-sided scoring differential isn’t just reserved for Mt. Vernon. The Lady Eagles have now outscored all opponents 210-19 in their 18 games, with their only loss coming 6-4 to Strafford, whose only loss is against Purdy.
“Right now I would say [Purdy] is probably the best team in the state,” Schubert said.
Better than Strafford?
“Well, No. 1 and 1A,” he said.
Hallie Henderson struck out seven and allowed six hits over seven innings for Purdy, allowing a single run in the first and two in the seventh.
“She’s not gonna overpower you, but she’s becoming a very smart pitcher,” Videmschek said of Henderson. “She’s finally getting it now. It’s not just about throwing hard, but how important it is to hit your spots.”
Mt. Vernon led 1-0 after an inning courtesy of a Michaela McChesney groundout that drove in Madi Schubert.
Destiny Krempges pushed two runs across in the seventh for Mt. Vernon on a single to right field.
Hailea Schubert had a 3-3 day for the Mountaineers, doubling in the seventh.
“Seeing that today where we didn’t give in and we continued to battle was a good sign,” Schubert said.
Rion Boyd doubled and tripled for Purdy, driving in a run in a three-run sixth inning that turned a four-run game into an 8-1 lead.
UP NEXT
Mt. Vernon: The Mountaineers continue their tough schedule when they host Pierce City (13-3) Monday. Pierce City has wins of 5-0 and 15-10 over Mt. Vernon this season.
Purdy: Purdy’s next game also comes against Pierce City. The yellow and black Lady Eagles beat the green Lady Eagles 6-1 earlier this season.
