FAUCETT – Entering the postseason with its most wins since 2014, the West Platte softball team (15-6) had an opportunity to win its first district game in seven years on Oct. 12.
West Platte has had some solid teams in recent memory, but the postseason drought continues with 2016 being the last time it recorded a win after the regular season concluded. This time, the Lady Blue Jays were defeated 11-0 by Lawson (17-8) at Mid-Buchanan High School.
It was a fair matchup with Lawson being the No. 4 seed and West Platte being the No. 5 seed. In the one regular season contest between the conference rivals, the Lady Blue Jays prevailed 5-4 which was their first win in the series since 2013.
In the Class 2 District 7 Tournament, it was a different story. West Platte fell behind early, only had one hit on the night and committed four errors.
The Lady Blue Jays hit first – being considered the road team as the lower seed – and Hailey Deffenbaugh doubled on the second at-bat of the night. Deffenbaugh ended up being the only West Platte player to get on base all game long, including when she was walked in the third inning.
Lawson put one run on the board in the first inning and added three more in the second inning. West Platte had two errors in the bottom of the fourth inning, the second one occurring with two outs and eventually leading to a pair of runs.
The Lady Cardinals entered the fifth inning up 6-0 and took advantage of the Lady Blue Jays’ mistakes. Sophie Grier walked three batters, Lawson was able to advance a runner due to defensive interference and Peyton Edmonds had an error.
The contest ended in five innings as Lawson had nine hits and no errors, but only struck out two batters. Grier threw two strikeouts, as well.
While West Platte’s season ended with a shutout loss in the opening round of districts, it was an impressive fall. Three of the last four years, the Lady Blue Jays ended up with 11 wins – which they surpassed in 2023 – and they’re moving in the right direction for the future under first-year coach Holly Lintner.