The Trojans late comeback bid came up short and the Park Hill softball team’s season has ended after losing 8-3 to Liberty in the first round of the Class 5 District 8 Tournament on Oct. 12.
Park Hill trailed early when Liberty scored four runs in the first inning. The Trojan’s offense started off slow when they went scoreless in the opening three innings.
Grace Woods gave Park Hill’s offense a spark in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI double, scoring the first of two Trojan runs in the inning. Taylor Laneck replaced Woods on base as a courtesy runner and Alyssa Ball grounded out to first base, allowing Laneck to cross home plate.
After the Blue Jay offense went scoreless, the Trojans continued to chip at Liberty’s lead in the ensuing inning. Nia Muniz singled and Allison Gonier scored, narrowing the deficit 4-3.
“Part of the season people have overlooked us with a new coach, new program and the fact we lost a lot of seniors from last season,” Park Hill head coach Kylie Guthier said. “The fight in the girls; I’m so beyond proud of them, they didn’t back down at all.”
Liberty responded with four hits and four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend its lead to five runs and regain momentum. A single by Ball in the top of the sixth inning was the only Trojan hit in the final two innings as Park Hill’s offense was unable to get back on the scoreboard.
Park Hill Head Coach Kylie Guthier, above, talks to the Trojans in the outfield at Creekside Baseball Park following Park Hill’s 8-3 loss to Liberty in the first round of the Class 5 District 8 Tournament on Oct. 12.
Park Hill ended its last game of the 2021 season with five hits by Mya Lewis, Gonier, Muniz, Woods, and Ball while Muniz, Woods and Ball each ended with an RBI. Muniz pitched the entire district contest and ended with five strikeouts.
“It ended quicker than I liked and quicker than my heart is ready for, but overall it is a growing year and I have a lot to change and tweak for next year. I think it was a good year, I’m happy with it,” Guthier said.
Park Hill’s first season under head coach Kylie Guthier came to an end with an 8-11 record. The Trojans will say farewell to six seniors: Morina Goodman, Kaitlyn Heckman, Antonia Muniz, Cadence Sackuvich, Woods and Lewis.
“With this being my first year as a head coach, this will for sure be the senior class I remember when I look back. They are all going to go and do great things in life - whether it’s with softball or not - they are great kids and I have nothing but good things to say about them,” Guthier said.