CHEROKEE — Humboldt High’s Lady Cubs started out well in Tuesday’s Kansas Class 3A Regional Softball Tournament. They knew games would be tougher in the tournament.
Riverton High’s Lady Rams were tied 1-1 with the undefeated top-seed Lady Cubs after two innings. As they did all season, the Lady Cubs hit the ball and scored runs.
Humboldt got to the regional championship game with a 6-3 win over Riverton. Then waited.
Pittsburg’s St. Mary’s Colgan got out quickly on second-seeded Frontenac in their semifinal game. They had to hold off a hard-charing Lady Raider team for a 10-9 win.
The Lady Cubs ran into a one-woman wrecking crew in the championship game. The Panthers’ Morgan Gilmore put Colgan on top with a two-run home run in the first inning.
Gilmore would lock down and shut the door on Humboldt hitters. She recorded 19 strikeouts — that included the first nine batters she faced.
The Lady Cubs did get to Gilmore one inning and took the lead. Both of Humboldt’s two hits came in the fourth.
Breanne Kline singled, stole second, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on an illegal pitch. Gilmore issued her only walk and Humboldt senior Kylee Carson made the Panthers pay.
Carson cranked out a two-run home run to put the Lady Cubs up 3-2.
But it wouldn’t be enough. As Gilmore continued to shut down the Lady Cubs’ hitters, the Panthers regained the lead on two runs in the fifth. They added an insurance run in the sixth.
“We had a good start with the win over Riverton to make it to the championship game,” said Brad Piley, Humboldt head coach. ‘We have had a great season.”
In the semifinal with Riverton, the Lady Cubs pounded out 11 hits. Senior Hannah McCall had her first career home run — a solo shot over the left center field — in the game.
Taylyn Wells hit a single and a triple and Kindahl Young connected for a single and a double. Both are seniors. The other senior on the squad is Miranda Myer.
Sophomore Kayle Riebel hit a single and a double. Junior Megan Herder, sophomore Morgan Morris, Jaci Ross and Kline, both freshmen, each had a base hit.
“We did a good job putting the ball in play against Riverton,” Piley said.
