Teams set eyes on final day of state
Papillion La-Vista's Hayleigh Evans (4) watches as Kylie
Schwarting (17) looses control of the ball as Millard
South's Kaitlyn Goney slides safely into third base
Thursday during day two of the state tournament at
the Smith Softball Complex in Hastings.
While day two of the Nebraska state softball tournament at the Smith Softball Complex may not have had as many upsets as day one, it certainly had its share of excitement. Whether it was a classic pitcher’s duel in Class A, a hit parade in Class B, or a late-inning comeback victory in Class C, softball fans got what they paid for.
In Class A, the most stoic program in high school softball had a chance to knock off the defending champions when No. 5 Papillion-La Vista played No. 2 Millard South. But it was the Patriots’ pitching and defense that prevailed and sent Millard South to the championship.
After four innings of scoreless softball, Millard South finally broke the game open in the fifth inning, scoring five runs en route to a 6-3 victory over Papillion-La Vista. Millard South coach Steve Kerkman said his confidence in his team never wavered, despite tallying only three hits in the first four innings.
“Buy in is one of our big slogans of the year. We talk about doing things right on defense and talk about the right approach at the plate,” Kerkman said. “It always takes us some time to do things that way, offensively. But we did it, and we had a big inning.”
Papillion La-Vista's Hayleigh Evans (4) watches as Kylie
Schwarting (17) looses control of the ball as Millard
South's Kaitlyn Goney slides safely into third base
Thursday during day two of the state tournament at
the Smith Softball Complex in Hastings.
In Class A, the most stoic program in high school softball had a chance to knock off the defending champions when No. 5 Papillion-La Vista played No. 2 Millard South. But it was the Patriots’ pitching and defense that prevailed and sent Millard South to the championship.
After four innings of scoreless softball, Millard South finally broke the game open in the fifth inning, scoring five runs en route to a 6-3 victory over Papillion-La Vista. Millard South coach Steve Kerkman said his confidence in his team never wavered, despite tallying only three hits in the first four innings.
“Buy in is one of our big slogans of the year. We talk about doing things right on defense and talk about the right approach at the plate,” Kerkman said. “It always takes us some time to do things that way, offensively. But we did it, and we had a big inning.”
To read more, see Friday's Hastings Tribune or the Tribune e-edition.>>>
