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The Western Boone softball team has battled through injury adversity all year long.
And now that they are as close to full strength as they can be, they are showing what they are capable of.
The Lady Stars topped Seeger 5-1 on Thursday night, capturing the Sectional 37 title.
"Winning a sectional championship is a great feeling," Western Boone head coach Mike Vanderpool said. "With all the injuries and adversity we faced throughout the year, it's just really special for us to come together and get all the girls back."
Western Boone struck first in the second inning.
Raina Lutz and Caydence Paris singled to lead off the inning, and Kenzlei Mathews made it 1-0 with a single to right. Kensley Blakenship followed with a sacrifice fly before Ashlynn Foster made it 3-0 with a single.
"We played some small ball and got a couple of bunts down" Vanderpool said. "I think that flustered them a little bit and we were able to get a couple of runs."
Vanderpool said that is part of the Stars' game that has improved a lot this season.
"We have some girls in our lineup that are good bunters, and they happened to come up in that situation," he said. "We got some girls on base and that was important."
Seeger got a run back in the top of the third, but an inning later the Stars built on their lead.
Ally Lewis drew a one-out walk, and Mickey Burns followed with a single to put two on. Mady Monks drove in Lewis with a single, with Lutz following with a run-scoring single of her own to make it 5-1.
From there, it was up to the WeBo pitching and defense, and they were up to the task.
Lewis allowed just one run and struck out 11, scattering six hits.
Vanderpool said he was happy with the way his defense has come together throughout the season.
About half the starters were in new positions at the start of the year. Fittingly, two of them were involved in some of the final outs of the game, with Payten Blakenship starting off the top of the seventh with a catch in right field, and then Paris catching the final force out at second.
"Caydence didn't have a lot of action tonight, but throughout the season as a freshman at second base she has done a great job, and Mady (Monks) has too at first base," Vanderpool said. "We put Payten out there this year and she's always had a good attitude. She's improved so much from last year to this year and has been really solid."
Eight different Stars finished with hits in the game, with Lee and Lutz picking up two each.
Western Boone will now head into regional play on Tuesday, traveling to Rochester (22-3) at 6 p.m.
"We just want to get our pitchers some rest, just have them throw a little bit to keep their arms loose," Vanderpool said of preparations for the regional. "We will get into the cage some, but the big thing is just relaxing and having fun. This is the time of the year you should be having fun out there."
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And now that they are as close to full strength as they can be, they are showing what they are capable of.
The Lady Stars topped Seeger 5-1 on Thursday night, capturing the Sectional 37 title.
"Winning a sectional championship is a great feeling," Western Boone head coach Mike Vanderpool said. "With all the injuries and adversity we faced throughout the year, it's just really special for us to come together and get all the girls back."
Western Boone struck first in the second inning.
Raina Lutz and Caydence Paris singled to lead off the inning, and Kenzlei Mathews made it 1-0 with a single to right. Kensley Blakenship followed with a sacrifice fly before Ashlynn Foster made it 3-0 with a single.
"We played some small ball and got a couple of bunts down" Vanderpool said. "I think that flustered them a little bit and we were able to get a couple of runs."
Vanderpool said that is part of the Stars' game that has improved a lot this season.
"We have some girls in our lineup that are good bunters, and they happened to come up in that situation," he said. "We got some girls on base and that was important."
Seeger got a run back in the top of the third, but an inning later the Stars built on their lead.
Ally Lewis drew a one-out walk, and Mickey Burns followed with a single to put two on. Mady Monks drove in Lewis with a single, with Lutz following with a run-scoring single of her own to make it 5-1.
From there, it was up to the WeBo pitching and defense, and they were up to the task.
Lewis allowed just one run and struck out 11, scattering six hits.
Vanderpool said he was happy with the way his defense has come together throughout the season.
About half the starters were in new positions at the start of the year. Fittingly, two of them were involved in some of the final outs of the game, with Payten Blakenship starting off the top of the seventh with a catch in right field, and then Paris catching the final force out at second.
"Caydence didn't have a lot of action tonight, but throughout the season as a freshman at second base she has done a great job, and Mady (Monks) has too at first base," Vanderpool said. "We put Payten out there this year and she's always had a good attitude. She's improved so much from last year to this year and has been really solid."
Eight different Stars finished with hits in the game, with Lee and Lutz picking up two each.
Western Boone will now head into regional play on Tuesday, traveling to Rochester (22-3) at 6 p.m.
"We just want to get our pitchers some rest, just have them throw a little bit to keep their arms loose," Vanderpool said of preparations for the regional. "We will get into the cage some, but the big thing is just relaxing and having fun. This is the time of the year you should be having fun out there."
Continue reading...
