MTZ softball advances after regional final win

The Mt. Zion softball team is pictured after winning the Mt. Zion IHSA 2A regional semifinal.

By BLAKE FAITH
Staff Writer

The Mt. Zion softball team won its 21st regional title in program history defeating Lincoln 3-1 on Saturday in the regional final. For Mt. Zion head coach Greg Blakey this is his 19th regional title.

“It feels great,” Coach Blakey said. “The kids were very locked in focus and did a great job of executing the plan that we had laid out for them for the game. I couldn’t feel any better about a win, to be honest.”

The Braves struck first offensively in the bottom of the first inning. Kennedy Highley led off with a single to center field. Highley was later out at second on a fielder’s choice. Gwen Bender thigh came on to the bases.

Bender got into scoring position off the Braves advancing runners. Then Dakota Harrison hit a two-out single to centerfield to bring in Bender and give the Braves a 1-0 lead.

Dakota Harrison pitched two shutout innings and went into the bottom of the third with a one-run lead. Cara Farnnam hit a double for Lincoln and then scored a few batters later to tie the game 1-1 in the top of the fourth.

In the bottom of the fourth, Harrison led off and got her second hit of the night off a single. Anna Cox got on base after a fielder’s choice. Audri Johnson hit a single that advanced Cox to second. Cox went to third after Karlie Teel made contact.

Lauren Waller hit a lineout, but Cox tagged up and scored to give the Braves a 2-1 lead. The Braves struck again when Kayla Schnippel hit a solo home-run to give the Braves a 3-1 lead.

Harrison and the Braves’ defense handled the Lincoln Offense after taking the lead and combined for three shutout innings to end the game and give the Braves a regional championship.

We played them early in the year,” Coach Blakey said. “In that game we moved the ball and it wasn’t enough. “Obviously , we did a good job of moving the ball and getting runners on. We played well defensively and Dakota Harrison had a fantastic game on the mound. And we were fortunate to come out with a win.”

The Braves improve to 21-13 on the season. The Braves will face Chatham-Glenwood in a 2A Sectional Semifinal. The game will be played at the Mt. Zion softball field at McGaughey on Tuesday. If the Braves win they will play in the Sectional championship on Friday night at Mt. Zion.

“The plan will be more or less the same type of thing,” Coach Blakey said. We have to play great defense. We’re not very good when we don’t play good defense. We gotta move the ball and if Dakota throws what she has and is capable of then we have a good chance.”