By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After Friday night, the secret’s definitely out on the Lincoln High School softball team.
They’re legit. They’re good.
Lincoln defeated Potosi – the No. 1-ranked team in the past two state coaches’ polls – 2-1 in eight innings in the spring softball state semifinals at Killian Softball Complex in Springfield.
Can you call it an upset?
“I would think a lot of people think so,” said Lincoln coach Chris Sanders. “I don’t think a lot of people know how good these girls are. I think we proved it tonight.”
The victory comes eight days after Lincoln defeated No. 3-ranked Wellington-Napoleon 7-1 to reach the final four. Lincoln barely cracked the top 10 of the last state poll, coming in at No. 9.
“These girls have worked so hard,” Sanders said. “I knew they had it in them. They fight and fight and fight.
“We’re used to these tight games. We had no doubt.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Lincoln (25-2 overall) faces Kennett (16-8 overall) in the state title game at noon Saturday at Killian Softball Complex. Lincoln finished third at state in 2017.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Lincoln freshman Jenna Vandaveer. “I hope we’ll get to do this again, but you never know if you’ll be able to.”
Vandaveer came up clutch on the basepaths in the decisive eighth inning. She reached base on a bunt single with one out, stole second then got to third base after avoiding a rundown.
“I was so nervous,” Vandaveer said. “They have a really good pitcher and I was worried she was going to throw me out at second. When I got in the rundown, I was like, ‘Oh no, this isn’t going to end well.’ Then, I did it.”
Vandaveer scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball. She initially thought twice about taking home plate.
“I hesitated for a minute and didn’t think I was going to make it, but then I was like, ‘I can do it,’” Vandaveer said. “So I just kept going.”
Said Sanders: “Jenna’s a great baserunner. She’s only a freshman, but her skills, you can’t question them. She made a good play. She saw it and hustled (home) and got it done.”
Potosi tied the game in the seventh on Sami Huck’s two-out, RBI double.
Lincoln pitcher Aleah Paxton went the distance and gave up three hits, five walks and struck out three. Her RBI double in the second inning gave Lincoln a 1-0 lead.
Huck struck out 14 over eight innings and allowed seven hits and no walks.
The softball Cardinals are now the second Lincoln team to reach a state championship game this school year.
“Our football team (reached the state finals) last fall and I told them we’re going to do it, too,” Sanders said. “The girls proved us right.”
