Park Hill South’s Curstin Todd rounds first base while watching her hit sail over the outfield fence in first inning of the Lady Panthers district loss on Oct. 12.
PARKVILLE – Park Hill South (12-21) stuck with the No. 3 seed for the first two innings but couldn’t pull off the upset or overcome six home runs by Staley (16-6) in the Class 5 District 8 Softball Tournament on Oct. 12.
Having just lost 12-0 to Staley in its second to last regular season game, Park Hill South had to play the tough opponent again in the first round of districts. Despite losing in a recent shutout, the Lady Panthers didn’t let the regular season defeat them from coming out of the gate fast.
Batting first as the away team, Curstin Todd had a solo home run over center field on the fifth pitch of the night. Staley responded with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the second inning to take a 2-1 lead.
With two outs on the board and the bases loaded in the top of the second inning, Erin Stewart singled on a line drive to center field. Emalee Taylor, Hope Nelson and Shailee Rafols all scored on the play as the Lady Falcons had an error and Stewart reached second base.
Todd batted Stewart in with a line drive single to center field and Park Hill South went up 5-2 before Staley closed out the inning. The Lady Falcons bounced back quick, having three hits – including another 2-run home run – to regain the lead, 6-5.
Joniyah Turner reached first base on an error in the top of the third inning, but the other three Park Hill South batters got out in the inning. Staley got another pair of 2-run home runs in the bottom of the third inning, pushing the lead to 11-5.
Park Hill South loaded the bases after Nelson grounded out in the top of the fourth inning due to an error and two walks. Madeleine NeSmith grounded out in a fielder’s choice and Rafols scored for what ended up being the Lady Panthers’ final run of the season.
Staley had an impressive outing offensively, adding a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning and another one in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Lady Falcons also had two RBI singles in the bottom of the fifth inning before the homer.
Staley ended with as many home runs as Park Hill South had hits and both teams committed four errors. Todd led the way for the Lady Panthers offensively with two hits and two RBIs, along with Stewart’s one hit and one RBI.
NeSmith struck out three batters on the night as she was on the mound the whole game. Park Hill South said farewell to five seniors with its season coming to a close with the postseason loss.