Washington High School softball turned in a dominating performance while running through the Class 4 District 2 Tournament.
Playing in the championship game on Monday, October 16, at Rockwood Summit High School, the top-seeded Lady Jays made quick work of second-seeded Cor Jesu Academy in three innings, 15-0.
In its three games of the district tournament, Washington allowed no runs and just one hit, outscoring its opponents, 41-0, in wins over Nerinx Hall 15-0, Pacific 11-0, and Cor Jesu, 15-0.
Washington (34-1-1) advances to the Class 4 quarterfinals on Saturday, October 21, with a game at Cape Girardeau Notre Dame (20-13), the District 1 champion. Game time is 1 p.m. It’s a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal game at Lakeview Park, where Washington defeated Cape Notre Dame, 7-2.
The quarterfinal winner moves on to the state tournament Thursday and Friday, October 26 and 27, at Killian Softball Complex in Springfield. Washington is looking for its third straight trip to the Class 4 State Softball Tournament after winning the title in 2021 and placing third last season.
Tickets must be purchased online for Saturday’s quarterfinal game on the MSHSAA website for $8 apiece.
Click here to purchase tickets.
In the district title game, Washington scored early and often against Cor Jesu with five runs in the bottom of the first inning, nine in the second and ended it on the 15-run rule with one run in the third.
Taylor Brown pitched the first two innings for the Lady Jays, allowing no runs or hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Lauren Opfer tossed the third inning, allowing no runs on one hit with one walk and one strikeout.
Washington, coached by Grant Young and assisted by Tim Zumsteg, collected 13 hits in the contest. Everyone in the starting lineup had at least one hit. Kendall Nix led the way with three hits and three RBIs while Kelsie Holtmeyer and Elizabeth Reed both added two hits. Christine Gerling, Grace Molitor, Lacy Monzyk, Maddie Guevara, Ella Lause and Brown each had one hit.
The Lady Jays also dominated the first two games of the district tournament, finishing off Nerinx Hall in four innings and Pacific in five innings. Brown tossed no-hitters in both games. She registered 12 strikeouts against Pacific and 10 against Nerinx Hall.
Molitor led Washington’s offense against Pacific with three hits, including a home run, three runs and two RBIs. Guevara, Holtmeyer and Lause each added two hits. Nix, Gerling and Brown each had one hit.
Brown and Gerling both had three hits in the win over Nerinx Hall. Brown belted her 15th home run of the season. Reed and Guevara both added two hits. Monzyk, Holtmeyer, Lause, Nix and Molitor each had one hit.
