WCHS softball eliminated at 7-AAA tourney

The 2007 season came to an end for the Lady Pioneer softball team Tuesday, as their late rally was cut short in an eventual 4-2 loss to Siegel in the losers? bracket of the 7-AAA tournament.

Trailing 4-0 after a first inning which saw starting pitcher LeAnne Smith leave with an injury and eight Lady Stars come to the plate, the Lady Pioneers battled their way back with a pair of runs in the second.

The runs came on a two-out double from Bethani McGuire which plated Kayley Murray and Katie Rogers, who had hit back-to-back singles with one out in the inning.

WCHS threatened in the fifth when Brooke Bowman reached on a two-out error, but Ashlee Malone grounded out to end the frame.

In the fifth, Murray led things off with a double, then stole third when Siegel catcher Monica West?s throw went into left field. Murray scrambled for home, but was gunned down by Lady Star freshman Amanda Earp, who was backing up the play in left field.

McGuire singled to start the seventh, and Brittany Ferrell reached on an error. Linnsay Williamson moved the runners up with a sacrifice grounder, but Siegel?s Sami McCampbell retired Kayla Hubbard on a grounder and fanned Bowman to end the game, sending Siegel on to the losers? bracket final, where they lost 5-4 in eight innings against Blackman.

Smith took the loss for WCHS, giving up two runs on one hit but leaving the game after facing just two batters. Ferrell pitched the rest of the way, striking out four and walking two while allowing two hits.

All the runs Siegel would need came in the first, as Becca Williams led off the frame with a single and scored when Amy Roeger?s grounder to second was misplayed. McCampbell walked, Monica West drove in a run with a fielder?s choice and Sara Dusenberry plated two more runs with a double to left.

Warren County?s hits came from Murray, Rogers and McGuire, who had two each.

Warren County ended its season with a record of 7-24, including a 1-2 stretch at the district tournament. Malone and Murray were named to the All-District team for their performances this season.