Lady Eagles Advance To State
The No. 2 Como-Pickton Lady Eagles were back in action Thursday, looking to pick up another win over No. 8 ranked Shelbyville and advance to the State Tournament. Still with a Game Three scheduled for Saturday, if needed, the Lady Eagles were looking to put the series away as quickly as possible to start prepping for the State Semifinals.
Como-Pickton was the home team in Thursday’s Game Two, and ace Mattison Buster set the tone immediately, striking out the first two batters she faced. Buster continued to roll in the second and third innings, as she had still yet to allow a base runner.
In the bottom of the third Como-Pickton was able to put themselves on the board, opening the inning with Maggie Brown reaching on an error. Bella Romero was able to bring her in on the very next at-bat, laying down a sacrifice bunt and taking a 1-0 lead. Gracie Thompson followed with a single of her own, coming in to score later in the inning on a RBI single from Addi Monk, extending the lead to 2-0.
Buster almost ran into some trouble in the fourth inning, though she was able to work her way out of it. Shelbyville recorded their first runner of the game with a leadoff walk and also had their first hit of the game in the frame, but the Lady Eagles were able to get out of it, still with their 2-0 lead intact.
Both teams were quiet for the next coupe innings, until the bottom of the sixth when the Lady Eagles were able to add a pair of insurance runs. After waking Buster to open the frame, Monk doubled to center, bringing in the run and stretching the lead to 3-0. Just two plays later Monk would come in to score as well, giving the Lady Eagles a four-run lead with just three more outs needed.
Buster took the circle in the seventh inning, looking to complete yet another complete-game shutout and also looking to send her Lady Eagles to the State Semifinal. She was able to do just that, getting a pair of grounds outs and a lineout to put the game away. Buster allowed just one hit and one walk in her complete-game shutout, striking out six along the way.
Offensively it was Monk who came up huge for Como-Pickton, going 2-for-3 with a double. She also had a game-high two RBI and one run scored, accounting for three of the Lady Eagles’ four runs.
Romero also had one RBI, while Thompson had one hit, as the Lady Eagles were efficient with the runners they did have, scoring four runs on three hits.
The win advances Como-Pickton to the State Semifinal for the first time since 1999. The State Semifinal will be Tuesday, and the State Championship will follow Wednesday, if they win Tuesday.
Stay tuned to Front Porch News for continued coverage of the Lady Eagles playoff run. Photo courtesy/ Saundea Monk via Facebook
