By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
CLEVER — While seeing pitches inside, outside and across the middle plate, Kenzie Crook hit to all fields in Diamond’s 8-5 Class 2 quarterfinals triumph against Clever Tuesday.
Crook put together a 3-for-4 performance with a double, two runs scored and an RBI .
“The pitcher pitched right where I could do that,” Crook said of hitting to left, center and right. “Usually, I do not go the opposite way. I’ve been working on that and tonight this is the first time I really did it (for an RBI-single). This game, I tried to find my pitch. I waited for it and drove it.”
All this from a junior third baseman who may not have been able to find her way into Diamond’s starting lineup if not for last year’s starting third baseman, Marrissa DeJager, missing all of this season with an injury.
“Kensie came in and her bat earned herself (a spot) in the lineup,” Lady Wildcats coach Kelsie Parrish said. “She has stepped up and filled a big role for us. We couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Crook triggered a three-run Diamond fourth inning that gave the defending state champion Lady Wildcats the lead for the first time. They were down 3-0 after the first inning and still trailed by a 3-1 count entering the fourth.
Crook led off the fourth with a double. Later in the inning, Sara Roszell delivered an RBI-single, Kabrie Parmley reached on a bunt single and Anna Roszell brought home two runs with a fielder’s choice ground ball.
In the fifth, Crook produced an RBI-single for a 5-3 Diamond lead.
The Lady Wildcats went up 8-3 in the sixth, thanks to a two-run double by Lauren Turner and sacrifice bunt by Aubrey Ball that brought Turner home all the way from second base.
“It seems like the fourth, fifth and sixth innings are our innings offensively,” Parrish said. “In the beginning, our nerves were rattled a little. There’s always going to be a little bit of nerves in this setting. One little mistake and (players) fear they’re going to go home for the season. We did a good job fighting through it, resetting and just playing softball. We calmed down and were more selective. We had a better approach at the plate and it paid off.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Clever jumped on top in the first, with Savannah Chaney bringing home two runs with a bases-loaded single and Izzy Hudak scoring from third on a wild pitch.
“After the first inning, I knew there was a lot of game left,” Turner said. “Right off the bat, being down 3-0 wasn’t great. But we found a way to battle back. We are the type of team that knows how to (come) back. I have so much faith and trust in my team and our coaches that I wasn’t worried.
“Coming in, we knew not to take anyone lightly,” she added. “Anyone’s best day can be someone else’s worst day.”
“We were a little down, but after we got some hits we got up,” Crook said. “You’ve got to know that even if your backs are against the wall, you’ve got to keep fighting.”
Diamond (27-7) has had to fight through its share of injuries. In addition to DeJager, pitcher Taelyn Reeder has been hindered by a wrist injury most of this season and Turner twice in her career has been sidelined with a torn tendon in a forearm.
“Those injuries have given me a new love and appreciation for the game more than anything,” Turner said. “I’ve seen the game from sitting on the bench. So, when you’re out (in the field), no matter how rough it’s going, I’m thankful to be there.”
Reeder was the winning pitcher Tuesday by throwing 5.2 innings, striking out 10 and allowing five hits, three walks and four runs.
Of her 104 pitches, 66 were strikes.
“She did an excellent job,” Parrish said. “This was a big game with lots of pressure and she handled herself, adjusted and drove through.”
Turner earned a save by pitching the final 1.1 innings.
Clever (21-8) put two runners on base in the seventh with no one out. But the Lady Jays’ rally was curtailed after an infield fly call on a fly ball by Bailey Gaulding that landed in shallow center field out of the reach of Diamond infielders.
“I wish in that situation we could have got to the ball, got under it and not had to make (the umpires) make that (call),” Parrish said.
Moving forward, Turner is among Diamond’s seniors trying to be part of three state championship teams.
“This group of girls is very experienced and we have a great coaching staff,” Turner said. “All us seniors are excited to be back (in the Class 2 Final Four). We’re hoping for another couple wins.”
“These seniors are going to go (to state) three out of four seasons. They’ve had a good run,” Parrish said. “I couldn’t be more proud of their work ethic and I think it’s going to pay off in big ways.”
Diamond 8, Clever 5
Diamond 010 313 0 – 8 11 2
Clever 300 001 1 – 5 5 3
WP – Reeder. LP – Mattag. Save – Turner.
