The Missouri Class 2 District 2 Softball Championship game was really more of a precursor to the Final Four than most. It featured state-ranked (#3) Elsberry at 23-5, with highly touted pitcher Kenzi Koch, facing state ranked (#6) Montgomery County, at 26-5.

The game did not disappoint as the Lady Wildcats edged Elsberry, 1-0. The only run of the game scored on a strikeout that was a wild pitch with the runner beating the throw to first and the throw from catcher Elin Gladney, bouncing off the glove of first baseman Zoie Foster. Montgomery’s runner, Kenley Wessel, scored from second on the play to notch the game’s only run.

Wessel was on-board via a walk from Koch and a stolen base put her in scoring position. It was one of three free passes Koch surrendered along with just one hit. She struck out nine batters.

Elsberry’s left-handed hitting Stevajah Hardwick was called out twice for being out of the batter’s box when she put a ball in play. The first time came in the 2nd inning and would have netted a run as she hit a ball down the third base line past a charging Wessel, who was expecting bunt. Elsberry’s Katie Brinkmann had doubled to lead off the inning and would have easily scored.

The second time came in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Lady Indians had used a hit by Lilly Mound and  consecutive walks from Brinkman and Koch to load the bases. Hardwick appeared to have bunted the ball just in front of the plate, which would have been a bang-bang play had it stood. Instead, it was another opportunity squandered.

In addition to the two odd plays, Elsberry hit into two double plays, including one in that memorable sixth inning. After Lizzy Mound singled to open the frame, Foster hit a bouncer back to the pitcher who fielded it cleanly and threw to first for the out. The runner, Mound, tried to go first-to-third on the play and was Montgomery’s first baseman Sam Turner whistled a throw across the diamond and got the out on a close call at third base.

Wildcat pitcher Reese Hill gave up no runs on five hits and four walks. She also struck out six batters.

Montgomery Coach Audra Heimer isn’t bashful. She says this time of year, you take the win.

Heimer was impressed with her teams defense which turned two double plays.

Heimer is excited to move on.

Elsberry’s magical year comes to a close at 23-6. Montgomery County is now 27-5 and plays in Quarterfinal action Saturday in Chaffee, Missouri, against the 25-3 Lady Devils. You can hear that game on Your Community, Your Country, Country 96.