The Park Hill South softball team (11-21) got revenge from the team that eliminated them in the postseason last year before coming up short against the top-seed in the Class 5 District 8 Semifinals.
Park Hill South’s Aaadyn Rhodus had an RBI single in the first inning of the Lady Panthers 8-5 win over St. Joseph’s Central on Oct. 11.
One season ago, the Lady Panthers had five more wins and were the No. 5 seed when they took on the fourth-seeded Lady Indians and were defeated 2-1. This year, St. Joseph’s Central (17-12-1) took on Park Hill South with the same seedings in the opening round of districts with a different result – as the Lady Panthers won 8-5 – on Oct. 11.
Park Hill South struck first, putting three runs on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Keely Mastio hit a ground ball to second base and, after a Lady Indian error, Emalee Taylor and Bayli Middleton crossed home plate.
Aadyn Rhodus helped add to the early lead with an RBI single, and the Lady Indians responded with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to cut the margin to 3-2. After four Park Hill South hits and two Central errors in the top of the fourth inning, and the Lady Panthers extended their lead to 5-2.
After the Lady Indians scored one run in the bottom of the fourth inning, Park Hill South catcher Hope Nelson had a solo home run over the right field fence in the ensuing inning. Erin Stewart and Shailee Rafols both singled in the inning but weren’t able to add to the 6-3 lead and the Lady Indians immediately responded with a solo home run of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Park Hill South clung to a 2-run lead entering the final inning of play. With two outs and one runner on, Curstin Todd had a hit to center field and Stewart crossed home plate after a Central error.
Taylor had a pivotal hit to extend the lead to 8-5 as she connected with a right field hit to send Todd home. The Lady Indians didn’t go down without a fight, loading the bases with two outs.
After a dropped third strike, Central added one run on the board but was unable to complete the comeback bid. Todd fielded a ground ball and threw out the Central batter to clinch the first Park Hill South postseason win since 2018.
Park Hill South went on to take on Liberty (24-8) in the semifinals – eight days after the Lady Panthers defeated the Lady Blue Jays 10-6 in the regular season – and were taken down, 9-2. The Lady Panthers finished the season with an 11-21 record.