By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
It was a pitcher’s duel all the way on Saturday in Norwood, as the Norwood High School Lady Pirates (16-7) played host to the Dora Falcons (18-8) in a battle for this year’s Class 1 District 1 crown.
But after three scoreless innings, the Pirates struck gold, pushing two runs across the plate during the fourth and fifth frames to upend the Lady Falcons 2-0 and claim this year’s C1D1 title.
It was a big win for Norwood, which now moves on to sectionals where they will travel to face Crocker.
“I’m so proud of these kids today. We got solid pitching, key hits when we needed them and they played some great defense,” said Norwood High head coach Lori Drake. “Defensive miscues caused us to drop several games earlier this year. But you couldn’t tell that today- our kids made the play when the ball came their way, and for us, that was big time.”
With the score still tied 0-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning the Pirate bats went to work.
Pitcher Payton Drake lined a shot to center field and then raced all the way to third base before being held up by her coach. Drake would go on to register Norwood’s first run of the game on an RBI sacrifice fly from shortstop Megan Campbell.
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“She had been pitching to the outside part of the plate all day- something we’ve struggled with at times this year,” said Campbell. “But I made some adjustments and they paid off for me. I got a good piece of the ball and was able to drive it deep enough to score Payton. I got it done.”
Cassie Chadwell got things rolling for the Pirates in the bottom of the fifth as she reached base safely on a single. Rainy Jarrett soon followed suit with another single, an RBI single, pushing Chadwell across the plate to increase Norwood’s lead to 2-0.
The 2-0 lead would be all Pirate pitcher Payton Drake would need as she went on to shut out the Falcons the rest of the way en route to picking up the win and a Class 1 District 1 championship for Norwood.
“Payton threw really well today- well enough to shut out a really good Dora ball club. It was the second shutout in a row for her. She also shut out Van Buren earlier this week during semi-final round action,” said coach Drake- who also doubles as Payton’s mom. “Her changeup was working especially well today and that’s her pitch to keep hitters off balance.”
Although registering a shut out the Falcon bats did offer Drake a few challenges throughout the game.
“Dora did get a few solid hits today,” said the Pirate hurler. “But I have a lot of confidence in my teammates- they had my back. They also were constantly encouraging me while I was pitching. It helped to settle me down and stay focused.”
In picking up the victory Drake, a junior, allowed just three hits while striking out eight. Taking the loss was Dora senior hurler Keeli Land who recorded seven strikeouts. She gave up just five hits.
Dora did register a few big hits off Drake on Saturday. But the Lady Falcons just couldn’t muster enough of them to score runs.
“That’s been our MO all year,” said Dora head coach Dylan Fox. “At times this year we just haven’t been able to string enough hits together to score runs when we needed them.”
Even in defeat Fox was especially pleased with the effort he got from his Lady Falcon pitcher- Keeli Land.
“Keeli had a great game today, we just didn’t give her the kind of help she needed at the plate,” said Fox. “She kept us in the game today, just like she has in other games throughout the season. She’s really what’s made us go.”
Game Stats:
Norwood: Payton Drake 1-3 (3B), Josie Sullivan 1-2, Sierra Cornelison 1-2, Rainy Jarrett 1-2 (RBI), Megan Campbell 0-2 (Sac.-RBI) and Cassie Chadwell 1-2.
Dora: Mary Fehr 1-3, , Jones 1-3, and Cassidy Hambelton 1-3.
