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Eagles crowned sectional champs
LIZTON -- The South Putnam softball team gave senior Krystal Welch a wonderful graduation present -- a sectional championship. The Eagles defeated Cascade 2-1 Saturday to earn the sectional and will face Linton today at 7 p.m.
It might not have been a high scoring affair, but the Eagles were able to get their runs early and hold the Cadets in check throughout the game.
For head coach Chris Jones, the sectional win was great and acknowledged the efforts of his team.
"We're moving on, man, we're moving on," Jones said. "It's exciting... fun. I'm really happy for the girls. A lot of hard work. We came into this at the start of the year, kept getting better and it showed throughout the tournament when we needed it to. We bared down and got some outs and get some key hits and things of that nature.
"I'm proud of them all. I'm especially happy for my senior (Welch)," he added. "This was our graduation present to her. After having graduation today, we all went to her party and had a pregame meal, came to the game and got her her trophy. It was a team win; I know it's a little extra special on a special day for her, so that's awesome."
The Eagles got their first run of the contest in the third inning when Emily Dabkowski and Morgan Estes got tangle up on a play at first. Estes threw to third in attempt to get Welch, but the throw went wide and Welch trotted across the plate.
South Putnam tacked on another run in the fourth when Megan Barnes hit a long shot to right-center field, where it made it to the fence, scoring Kelsey Whitaker to put the Eagles up 2-0 at that point.
Starting pitcher Brooke Boetjer took a no-hitter in to the seventh inning and a two run lead. The no-hit attempt went away, but the lead held.
Brandyce Sallee hit a towering shot to left field that sailed over the head of Whitaker. Sallee sped around the bases, making it to third and putting the Cadets in prime position to make a run. She was plated by Courtney Stephenson's single. And that was all the Cadets had to offer and the Eagles were crowned the 2010 championship.
In a display of unity and class, the team was quick to get in line to congratulate the Cadets on a tournament well played. But after that, the team was finally able to let loose and celebrate its accomplishment.
Next up will be the Linton-Stockton Miners at the Linton-Stockton Regional tonight at 7 p.m. The Miners defeated Bloomfield 12-0 to win their sectional championship.
Jones knows Linton-Stockton can deliver on all three phases of the game, but his team might possess an X-factor that other teams don't have.
"They have a good pitcher, pretty good defense and are pretty good hitters, but to be honest, right now I'm just glad we're playing -- I'm just glad we're playing," Jones said. "I'm glad we're moving on and we get to play another day and I'm excited for the girls. I told them 'Enjoy it tonight and Monday we'll go to work for Tuesday's game. But, you have to at a certain point enjoy it and you saw it.
"Team chemistry is amazing with us and I think the celebration, after we shook hands, we kind of showed that team chemistry," Jones continued. "And we've had that and that's been essential to get us where we're at. That, focus and hard work. I'm just proud of them to be honest.
"Not much else to say other than I'm excited and happy and they deserve it. They've worked their butts off," he concluded.
South Putnam will face Linton-Stockton tonight at 7 p.m. in the Linton-Stockton Regional.
At Tri-West
Class 2A No. 46 Softball Sectional
South Putnam 001 100 0 -- 2 5 2
Cascade 000 000 1 -- 1 0 3
WP -- Boetjer
LP -- Bridges
3B -- Sallee (CAS)
2B -- Barnes (SP)
Next game -- South Putnam will face Linton-Stockton tonight at 7 p.m. in the Linton-Stockton Regional.