LS North, Kearney advance to softball quarterfinals

Through the regular softball season, Lee’s Summit North had not beaten Blue Springs. In fact, Broncos senior Ashley Creason could take it a step further because she had never beaten the Wildcats over her high school career.

However, all that changed on Thursday when Lee’s Summit North dramatically overcame a late inning two-run deficit during the Missouri Class 4 sectionals. The Broncos won 4-3, scoring all four runs in the final two innings and finishing off the defending Class 4 state champions at Adair Park in Independence.

Lee’s Summit North, 19-11, now moves on to face Kearney, 27-2, for a Saturday morning quarterfinal, thanks in part to some timely hitting.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Broncos had two runners in scoring position while trailing 2-0 when senior Kim Seever drove the first pitch from All-State sophomore Kelsey Kessler to shallow center field for the game-tying base hit. The next inning, LS North pinch hitter Amanda Richey knocked a line drive to left field and sophomore Lizzie Aller scored the clinching run by narrowly beating the throw home.

“I’m proud of the girls for not giving up,” coach John Gage said. “We talked about today being a one-day game.”

Which meant: Forget about what happened earlier this fall and concentrate on the present. When Creason’s seventh-inning RBI single gave LS North a 4-2 advantage, the possibility of finally beating Blue Springs appeared more real than ever. Then, LS North escaped the bottom of the seventh by allowing one run and, with the final out, the Broncos unleashed a celebration that was years in the making.

“Words don’t even explain,” Creason said.

Kearney 1, Staley 0 Kearney won without all the drama by simply sending junior pitcher Kat Barrow to the mound. Barrow threw a complete-game, 15-strikeout performance during Kearney’s sectional win over Staley on a separate field at Adair Park.

After senior Megan Dortch’s first-inning RBI scored leadoff batter Madison Rich, Barrow settled in with steady defense behind her. However, Barrow did not need too much support as she only allowed two hits.

“The young lady is pitching well,” coach Paul Lorbet said. “She’s staying on her game.”

And staying healthy. Barrow has not been affected by the sick bug, although several teammates have.

“I’m just trying not to breathe (around them),” Barrow joked. “I know a lot of girls aren’t at full strength. But we pick each other up.”

According to Lorbet, Barrow will get the start against LS North at Adair Park as the team hopes to give more run support on Saturday.

“We’re not satisfied with one run,” Barrow said. “We know we have to step it up as we move along.”

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submitted by CANDACE BUCKNER - 2009-10-15 22:47:02

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