The Lady Panthers are region champions once again.
Daviess County made it look easy Wednesday night, rolling past Muhlenberg County 12-0 in five innings to claim the 3rd Region softball title for the third time in five years.
Head coach John Biggs said while they took a business-as-usual approach to the tournament, his players were relaxed before each game.
“We kept our same routine,” he said. “This group is all about routines. But what I noticed the last two trips up here is they were loose, too. There was a little laughter and talk on the bus.”
It didn’t take long for the Lady Panthers (24-12) to set the tone, and the Lady Mustangs (15-23) couldn’t slow down a red-hot Daviess County offense.
Muhlenberg County even tried avoiding leadoff power hitter Millie Roberts, intentionally walking her in all four plate appearances. Without a pitch even being thrown, the Lady Panthers had a runner on base and went to work right away.
Courtesy runner Sophie Simone stole second and scored on a single by Abby Newman, who eventually advanced to third before scoring on a sacrifice bunt by Cameron Hamilton for a 2-0 lead.
“They knew what the plan was and what we wanted to do, and they really executed it,” Biggs said of the offensive approach. “We wanted to set the tone early, wanted to be super aggressive. Our bats have held us for the last couple of games. We wanted to try to do a few other things, get some bunts down, get some people in.”
A two-out double by Abbey Pike in the second inning added a run before the Lady Panthers really broke things open with a five-run third frame.
Emma Young grounded into a fielder’s choice but Savanah Northern beat the throw home, and a double from Emily Stanley added two more runs. Pike singled for another RBI and eventually scored from third on a passed ball for an 8-0 advantage.
With two on and no outs in the fifth, Roberts was intentionally walked for the fourth time. Newman then drew a walk to add a run. Two runs scored with some aggressive baserunning on a fielder’s choice by Hamilton, who scored on the next pitch when Young doubled.
While the offense was providing plenty of run support, Daviess County rode the hot arm of Stanley in the circle. She allowed a single hit, walked one and struck out two in five innings.
“We ask her every day how her arm feels and she gives us a thumbs up that she’s ready to go,” Biggs said. “She probably didn’t have her best stuff tonight, but it was good enough and we had a good defense behind her. We put up some crooked numbers on the board and that makes it easier in the circle.”
Hamilton led with three RBIs and scored twice. Newman and Simone both scored two runs. Newman, Young, Stanley and Pike each drove in a pair.
The Lady Panthers advance to the state tournament, though they’ll have to take an all new approach with a restructured format. In addition to the move to single elimination, the first round will actually be a semi-state game.
Daviess County will play at 11 a.m. Saturday at Western Kentucky University against Warren East, who finished runner-up in the state championship last season. The Lady Raiders (33-2) beat South Warren in the 4th Region championship on Wednesday to advance to the semi-state game.
“It’ll be a challenge,” Biggs said of the matchup. “But, we’re going to celebrate this one and enjoy it and we’ll get back to work on Friday.”
DCHS 215-04—12-9-0
MCHS 000-00—0-1-1
WP: Stanley. LP: Rose. 2B: Pike, Stanley, Young (DC).
