The Holden Lady Eagles varsity softball team’s season came to an end last week in the first round of the district tournament held at Boonville.  The girls were defeated by three-seed Warsaw, 2-1, who went on to win the tourney by defeating Odessa and Boonville.

The score was tied 1-1 until the bottom of the seventh inning when the Lady Wildcats scored the winning run.

“We didn’t commit any errors in the game,” explained head coach Allison Corwin.  “The team should be very proud of this game and the showing we had at the district for the first time in many years.  It’s a great way to end the season.  I feel we proved to many, including ourselves, what enthusiasm, heart and hard play leads to.”

The coach was very pleased with the defensive game the girls played.  “We had a super game on defense,” Coach Corwin continued.  “Kelci Moore had a nice stop at third to throw a runner out at first and then a great catch on a line drive to get the last two outs in the first.  Karley Kilgore converted a play at the mound followed by a quick catch to get the second inning underway.  Selena Gochenour caught a pop fly at shortstop to make the third out.”

In the third inning, Warsaw was three up and three down with a strikeout, a play by Kilgore to Jenna Brockhaus and another catch by Gochenour.  In the fourth frame, Gochenour made the first out by fielding a grounder and throwing her out while Rebecca Fisher made a catch in center field.  The third out was made by Katey Jennings making a catch at second.

It was Gochenour again to get the first out of the fifth inning and Hailey Johnson converted the second with a throw to second cutting down a Warsaw steal attempt.  Fisher ended the inning with a catch in center. 

Fisher started off the sixth with another catch in center followed by a snag on a line drive by Gochenour.  Kilgore set down the side with a strikeout.  In the seventh, out number one was a popup caught by Kilgore on the mound.  The second was fielded by Jennings and throwing to first.  The third batter walked and the fourth hitter got a line drive base hit to send in the runner who had taken second.

“Although the ending was heartbreaking, our defense was phenomenal in the game,” the coach praised.

Kilgore only allowed seven hits and four walks while striking out two.  The Warsaw pitcher didn’t allow any hits, but walked several.  The Lady Eagles stranded six runners on base.

“I can’t say enough great things about what I saw from our team this game,” Corwin added.  “They came ready to play and I feel we showed a lot of people we are a good team.”

Speaking on the season, “I was very proud of this team over the course of the season,” she said.  “They continued to grow and never gave up.  The switch from spring to fall was definitely a shock to us all, including the coaches.  We have four seniors leaving us this season.  They are Carla Arnone, Jenna Brockhaus, Rebecca Fisher and Katey Jennings.  Carla, Becca and Jenna were members of the softball team all four years of high school and Katey played her junior and senior year.  We wish them the best of luck as they go on to a new chapter in their life.  They will be missed.”