In just two regular season meetings, Daviess County softball had beaten Owensboro by a combined score of 27-2. As many know, playoff softball is different. That proved the be the case on Monday as the Lady Devils put up a great fight, but the Lady Panthers were able to escape with a 3-1 win to advance in the 9th District tournament.
Senior pitcher Raylee Roby began the contest in typical Raylee Roby fashion, striking out three batters. Owensboro’s defense stayed solid as well, as sophomore shortstop Addison Hill stretched out to make a nice catch to keep the game scoreless through the first.
The Daviess County offense got going in the bottom of the second, as freshmen Annie Newman and Callie Smith each got on base. Kaitlyn Hill singled to score Newman, but DC wasn’table to convert after that, leaving three runners on base.
“We’re going to have to be more patient at the plate than we were this evening,” Daviess County Head Coach John Biggs said. “Alyssa [Rhineburger] did a nice job of hitting different quadrants and getting us to chase.”
The Lady Devils got two runners on base in the top of the third, but nothing came of it. They got three quick outs on defense as they trailed 1-0 after three innings.
Hessi Johnson laid down a perfect bunt that sailed just over Roby’s head. Owensboro got two runners on base but weren’t able to score once again. Kaydence Hamilton bunted to advance Shelby Bennett from first to third base, and Hill got a hit to bring her home. The Panthers lead 2-0 after four.
Sophie Moorman doubled to right field to score Elli Embry in the top of the fifth inning making it 2-1. In the bottom of the inning, Kayley Payne tripled to left field, but the Panthers weren’t able to bring her in.
Sophomore Hailey Payne came up big for the Panthers late in the sixth inning, stealing second and third base. Shortly after, Danielle Beckwith ripped one to the outfield to bring in the score and extend the lead to two. The Panthers held OHS scoreless in the top of the seventh to secure the win.
“We had some kids that stepped up for us at the plate and gave us some big hits when we needed them,” Coach Biggs said. “Danielle getting that hit at the end was big for us, and Kaitlyn Hill got another big hit earlier to put us up 2-1.”
On a night where the Panthers, who rank top-20 in the state in hits, weren’t as explosive on offense as they have been throughout the season, the defense had their backs. Roby finished with 11 strikeouts while only allowing one run on four hits.
Hill went 3-3 on the night with two RBI, bringing in each of the Panthers’ first two runs. Embry went 1-2 in the contest with a walk, a single, and the Lady Devils’ singular score.
“When you get to this point, all the games are close,” Coach Biggs said. “We haven’t had a tight game with that much on the line and I think it should give us some confidence. You may not be on your A-game, but you find a way to win, that’s what championship caliber teams are able to do.”
The Panthers will be back in action Tuesday night at Apollo High School as they face Owensboro Catholic in the Ninth District Championship game at 6 p.m.
