Lady Demon softball team loses in regional championship

DERBY, Kan. — The Dodge City High School softball team’s season came to an abrupt end on Tuesday evening in the regional championship game at High Park in Derby. After run-ruling Manhattan, 15-3 in the semifinals, Dodge City fell to Derby, 10-0 in a five inning run-rule championship game.

The Lady Demons end the season with a 16-6 record overall and a 4-4 finish in Western Athletic Conference play.

Game 1

The Lady Demons put on a hitting clinic in the game one victory over the Manhattan Indians. Every player in the Dodge City lineup produced at least one hit and eight of the starting nine had a multi-hit game. It wasn’t just little singles, as they produced five extra-base hits in the contest.

Zabree Rodriguez led the offensive attack with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate and four RBI. Rodriguez also had an inside-the-park home run to go along with the solid outing at the plate. Elise Helfrich also had a multi-hit game going 3-for-4 and driving in two runs.

Raemie Lopp went the distance in the circle, allowing eight hits and three earned runs, while striking out two.

Manhattan – 030 00x x — 3 8 2

Dodge City – 408 3xx x — 15 22 0

W: Raemie Lopp

L: Gregiure

Time: 1:12

Game 2

After waiting nearly two hours for the Derby and Hutchinson game to finish up, Dodge City was trying to stay focused for a regional championship game and a chance at playing in their second straight state tournament. That however did not happen, as Dodge City came out flat in the title game.

The Lady Demons were run-ruled for the first time this season and simply couldn’t get the breaks the needed at the plate or in the field.

Helfrich, Lopp and Maddie Kalscheur all collected a hit apiece, but those would be the only hits in the game for the Red Demon offense.

Raegan Lopp struggled in the circle, allowing eight hits, 10 runs and walking five in 3 1/3 innings. She also hit three Derby players in the game.

Derby was led by Gabby Martin’s 2-for-2 performance at the plate including a bases clearing triple that broke the game open in the fourth inning.

The Panthers advanced to their ninth consecutive state tourney with the run-rule victory.

Dodge City – 000 00x x — 0 3 2

Derby – 022 6xx x — 10 8 0

W: Paxton

L: Raegan Lopp

Time: 1:01