Lady Beaver softball takes Cimarron regional title

Ingalls, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–Scott City has been so close to qualifying for state twice over the last five years. In 2017, they saw their lead diminish in the seventh inning, before falling the next day in the Holcomb regional. Just last year against Holcomb, the Lady Beavers were one out away from punching their ticket to state, but the Lady Longhorns rallied late to stun Scott City. This year would be different, as the Lady Beavers punched their ticket to state for the first time in school history, with a 4-0 win over Holcomb to advance to Class 3A State play in Manhattan next Thursday & Friday.

First and foremost, Scott City had to take care of Goodland in the semi-final round. The Lady Beavers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, and opened the game with a five-run second frame, capped off by a Tori Ford RBI single. In the third, Amber Latta drove in two runs on a single to make it 8-0, and the scoring was capped off by a Cheyenne Cramer RBI double to make it 10-0. The Cowgirls got on the board in the top of the fifth, thanks to a Grace Rediesel RBI single to make it 10-1, but the Lady Beavers finished things on a Malorie Cupp RBI groundout to make the final 11-1. 

Scott City had seven hits in their semi-final, as Malorie Cupp had two hits and three RBI, and Cheyenne Cramer had three RBI in the game, while Amber Latta had two hits and drove in two runs. Cramer gave up a run on two hits with four strikeouts in the five-inning win. Jaxi Mitchek took the loss, giving up seven runs, two earned, no five hits in three-and-a-third innings of work. 

Goodland vs Scott City Boxscore

Holcomb would shut out Cimarron 8-0 in their semi-final game, which set up what would be predicted, a rematch between the Lady Beavers and Lady Longhorns. 

Both teams followed suit in the first two innings, leaving a runner on base. Scott City put the pressure on Holcomb, and put up three runs in the third inning, as Malorie Cupp grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Hannah Tucker to go up 1-0. That was followed up by a Cheyenne RBI single, scoring Amber Latta, and Cupp would score on a wild pitch. Holcomb would load the bases in the fifth inning with one out. However, a strike out, and a fielder’s choice squashed their only threat of the game, and it would shift the momentum back to Scott City. The Lady Longhorns only had one runner reach third base all game. Tucker scored on a wild pitch to push the lead to 4-0, and the defense would carry the way, highlighted by a Latta double play in the seventh. Cramer would make the pop fly catch to send Scott City to their first-ever state tournament. 

Cheyenne Cramer struck out 10 in seven innings, giving up six hits. Malorie Cupp and Cramer each had an RBI. Korryn Johnson took the loss, going six innings, giving up four runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. Emma Cornelson and Ryleigh McVey each had two hits.

With the win, Erin Myers won her 100th career game as head coach.

 Scott City vs Holcomb Boxscore 

Holcomb ended their season at 20-3, their second straight 20-win season. Scott City also reached the 20-win milestone, improving to 20-1 overall. They will be a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the Class 3A State Softball Tournament, held at Twin Oaks Complex in Manhattan. 

Coach Erin Myers Postgame