Top ranked Akron-Westfield rallied with four runs in the 6th and added the go ahead run in the top of the 7th in a 5-4 victory over New London to claim the class 1A state softball championship. The Westerners survived a shaky defensive effort in which they committed seven errors to claim the school’s fifth title.
It was a bizarre game that saw the teams combine for 11 errors and there also two questionable no calls on the base path that helped lead to four run innings by both teams.
“We just snuck out of this one and we feel very fortunate to come out with the win. I’m not saying we deserved to win, but I tell you what, our kids don’t give up, they are believers.” Akron-Westfield coach Todd Colt said. “New London is a great team, I give them credit, but our kids are going to fight until the last out.”
New London took command with a four run second inning but coach Duane Blint’s young squad failed to slam the door shut. New London had only one senior on the roster and Blint says a lack of experience may have been a factor late in the game.
Mission accomplished for third ranked Durant. After reaching the semifinal round of the state tournament in 2012 the Wildcats took the next step and then some. Paige Compton tossed a two hitter as Durant beat second ranked and defending champ Treynor 3-0 for the 2A title.
Compton and the Durant defense was so dominant this week that the Wildcats did not even yield a run at the tournament. “I knew that I had to give everything and my all,” Compton said. She said they have been working toward this since 7th grade.
Durant took control by scoring three runs in the top of the fourth inning. Treynor coach JoEllen Travis said it was another great post season run for her team. “It was a lot of grit a lot of guts to get where we ended up being,” Travis said.
Bondurant-Farrar’s softball players have eyed state champion team photographs mounted in the school gym. All of them are boys’ sports, but history is changing. The Lady Jays beat Clarke of Osceola 6-3 Friday in the Class 3-A final at Rogers Sports Complex.
Clarke’s Carley Robins hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning to cut the lead to 3-2. It was her third home run in two days.
Dallas Center-Grimes stepped up for its first state title on Friday evening after third- and second-place finishes the previous two seasons, knocking off four-time champion Carlisle 5-2 for the Class 4-A crown.
Dowling Catholic claimed the 5A championship with a 5-2 win over Johnston.