While the Washington High School softball team fell short of a second straight state championship, the Lady Jays did end the season with a victory.
Competing at the MSHSAA Class 4 Softball Championships at Killian Softball Complex in Springfield on Thursday, October 27, Washington captured a third-place finish to end its season.
The Lady Jays (34-4) opened the state tournament with a 5-1 loss to Helias, but rebounded later in the day in the third-place game with a 10-0 win over Warrenton.
“It's a disappointment that we didn't get the opportunity to play for a state title. You have to take your hat off to Helias. They played a solid game. They deserve credit for what they did. I'm glad our girls were able to finish strong in the third-place game and finish with a win,” said Washington Head Softball Coach Grant Young. “Only two teams in each class get to end the season with a win and we were able to get a 10-0 win in five innings over Warrenton. There are several teams in the state that would relish the opportunity to play in a third-place game.”
Washington vs. Warrenton
Washington dominated the third-place game against Warrenton, winning 10-0 in five innings.
The Lady Jays scored one run in the top of the third inning and broke it open with six runs in the top of the fourth to make it 7-0. They added three runs in the top of the fifth.
Lauren Opfer tossed a one-hit shutout for Washington, walking three and striking out three in five innings of work.
“Lauren pitched a great game, giving up only one hit,” Young said. “Taylor Brown is a phenomenal pitcher for us. A lot of times, Lauren gets overlooked. She finished the season with a 10-1 record. She's a really good lefty for us and is going to be a really good lefty in college someplace.”
Offensively, Loren Thurmon and Grace Molitor both had two hits for the Lady Jays. Maddie Guevara had a three-run inside-the-park home run. Myla Inman, Emily Bruckerhoff, Christine Gerling and Taylor Brown each added one hit.
Washington vs. Helias
Washington opened the state tournament with a 5-1 loss to Helias in the Class 4 semifinals. Two of the Lady Jays’ four losses this season came against Helias.
Washington outhit Helias 5-3, but the Crusaders were able to take advantage of their opportunities while the Lady Jays did not.
Taylor Brown allowed five runs, two earned, on three hits with five walks and 10 strikeouts for Washington. Molly Berkey was the winning pitcher for Helias, allowing one run on five hits with seven walks and eight strikeouts.
The breaks just didn’t go Washington’s way in the semifinal game.
With the Lady Jays batting in the top of the first inning and Guevara at first base with two outs, Molitor laced a line drive down the left field line and into the corner. Guevara was cruising around the bases and would’ve scored easily, but the ball rolled underneath the temporary outfield fence. It was ruled a ground rule double and Guevara had to go back to third base. Instead of the Lady Jays taking a 1-0 lead, they did not score in the inning, keeping the game scoreless.
In the top of the six inning with two runners on base, Bruckerhoff hit a hard line drive down the third base line, which Helias third baseman Alex Wilde made a diving catch on, saving possibly two runs.
The Lady Jays scored their lone run in the top of the fourth inning when Gerling walked, stole second base, moved to third base on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Thurmon.
Thurmon collected two hits in the semifinal game while Molitor, Guevara and Elizabeth Reed each added one.
Thurmon and Opfer represented Washington on the all-tournament team.
Kearney claimed the Class 4 state title with a 14-9 win over Helias on Friday, October 28.
“Maddie G came in the third-place game with still a lot of fire under her, hitting that inside-the-park home run,” Young said. “You have to look at Loren Thurmon and the way she finished her senior season, going 4-5 at the plate in our two games. She's been our DP for most of the season and got our only RBI in the semifinal game.”
Washington will shoot for a third straight trip to the Final Four next season with 10 of the 13 varsity players coming back, including its entire pitching staff. Adding to the anticipation of the 2023 season will be the new baseball/softball complex set to open this spring at the site of the old South Point Elementary.
The Lady Jays’ three seniors are third baseman Myla Inman, left fielder Emily Bruckerhoff and first baseman Loren Thurmon.
“I'm very proud of these girls. We can't hang our heads. We finished with a record of 34-4. Just a tremendous season. It's a shame one of those losses came with a chance to play for a state title on the line,” Young said. “We appreciate our three seniors and what they've done for us. Those are big shoes to fill with Emily, Loren and Myla. I'm really pleased with how all of our girls, with a new coaching staff, came out and were really coachable, worked hard from day one, and put together a tremendous season.”
Coaches for the WHS softball program are Grant Young, Tim Zumsteg, Logan Schamerloh and Craig Vonder Haar.
Photos below from the state tournament are courtesy of Arron Hustead of the Washington Missourian.
Washington Softball Class 4 Third Place
The Washington High School Softball Lady Jays placed third at the MSHSAA Class 4 Championships, finishing the season with a 34-4 overall record. Front row, from left, are Myla Inman, Emily Bruckerhoff and Loren Thurmon. Middle row from left, are Ella Lause, Kelsie Holtmeyer, Christine Gerling, Elizabeth Reed, Grace Molitor and Maddie Guevara. Back row, from left, are Assistant Coaches Craig Vonder Haar and Logan Schamerloh, manager Alayna Royal, Lacy Monzyk, Taylor Brown, Kendall Nix, Lauren Opfer, Assistant Coach Tim Zumsteg and Head Coach Grant Young.
