2010 Kansas Class 2-1A State Softball Tournament
EMPORIA — Yates Center High’s Wildcats were in “Cinderella” mode Friday evening. With a five-run fourth inning, the Wildcats led top-seeded Spearville High’s Lancers 5-4.
The Wildcats, the eighth seed in the 2010 Kansas Class 2-1A State Softball Tournament, found themselves tied 5-5 going into the fifth. Yates Center manufactured a go-ahead run in the fifth.
Then midnight struck.
Or the Lancers struck the ball. Spearville used eight hits to produce nine runs in the sixth inning. The Lancers sent Yates Center home from the tournament on a 14-6 count.
“It was a great game for 5 1/2 innings then the floodgates fell open,” said Kathe Hamman, YCHS head coach. “Spearville is a hard-hitting team.
“We kept them off their game for the first part but then they pounded the ball before we could get the outs in the sixth inning.”
Yates Center (9-13) had nothing to lose going against Spearville in the opening round Friday at Emporia’s Trusler Sports Complex. Spearville eventually lost to Pittsburg St. Mary’s Colgan 14-2 in the championship game Saturday.
“We were a bit nervous and got down three runs but the girls kept their heads and pulled ahead in the fourth,” Hamman said.
Spearville changed pitchers three tiems during the game. Sophomore Daryean Estes went the distance for Yates Center with senior Kassy Reynolds catching.
Three errors helped the hard-hitting Lancers in their nine-run production in the sixth.
Estes was charged with 18 hits, three walks and had four strikeouts. She also drew three walks and scored twice.
Autumn Douglas, a junior, had two singles for the Wildcats. Hitting a single each were junior Drew Spencer, Reynolds, junior Jessica Hartwig and sophomore Sierra Lenard. Lenard had two RBIs.
“Our young outfield improved so much during the season led by Jessica Hartwig,” Hamman said. “We continued to hit down through the lineup as we did in the regional tournament.”
Hamman said the state tournament game was a building block for next season.
“We will miss the two starting seniors — Kassy and Maggie German. They were emotional leaders this year and the Lady Cats responded.”
Molly Baker was another senior on the Yates Center squad.
