South Knox defeats Miners in sectional final

Linton-Stockton captains Joie Gadberry (left) and Gracie Booe accept the runner-up softball from Sullivan High School principal Jon Stuckey after losing a 3-1 decision to South Knox in the championship game of the Class 2A Sectional 47 at Sullivan Thursday night. (By B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World).

SULLIVAN -- In a rematch of last year's Class 2A softball sectional championship, South Knox prevailed again, but it took to the next to last out in the bottom of the seventh inning to repeat.

After hitting a grand-slam home run to key a 5-0 victory over Sullivan Wednesday in the semifinals, South Knox pitcher Lauren Keller hit a walkoff two-run shot to provide the margin of victory as the Lady Spartans defeated Linton-Stockton 3-1 in the title game here Thursday night.

"This was another game where it was shame to see either lose," said Linton-Stockton coach Ruan Fougerousse. "It was a great effort by the girls, but I think their senior leadership might have been the difference late.

Linton-Stockton right field Savannah Neighbors fouls off a pitch for the Miners during the softball sectional championship game Thursday night at Sullivan. The Lady Miners lost a 3-1 decision. (By B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World).

"They are senior laden and the good thing is that we have everybody back."

Long before Keller's heroics, the Lady Miners took control of the game.

In the first inning, losing pitcher Brei Followell drew a two-out walk in the first. Keller hit Micaela Hazlewood to put runners at first and second.

Carlie Booe then blooped a single out of the infield to score Followell, giving the Miners a 1-0 lead. They would hold it until the bottom of the sixth.

"They stymied us hitting after the first," said Fougerousse. "We were not as patient as we needed to be and we did not execute everything I wanted them to."

Followell, who pitched five scoreless innings as she allowed just two hits over that span, finished with five strikeouts and six walks.

The Lady Spartans, who will take a 19-8 record into Tuesday's regional final at home, got a walk from Andrea Scott, a single by Keller and a base hit by Cassidy Hendershot to load the bases with no outs.

A strikeout by Followell and a fielder's choice still left the bases load with two outs.

The Miners then committed their only miscue defensively, which allowed Keller to score from third, tying the game at 1-all.

"Both teams were very solid defensively," said Fougerousse. "Their third baseman (Janelle Crockett) made a lot of great plays, but so did our third baseman (Joie Gadberry)."

Keller allowed a hit by Gracie Booe in the Miner seventh, but got Gadberry to ground out to end the Linton-Stockton seventh.

In the Lady Spartan seventh, Followell got two long flyouts before she hit Scott with a pitch.

Keller then blasted a home run to right field, just over the fence and under the scoreboard, giving South Knox consecutive softball titles.

"Brei pitched another great game," said Fougerousse. "It was an advantage for us last night to be the home team and they were able to take advantage of that tonight.

"The Keller girl hit another big home run. When you are the visitor in a situation like that, all you can do is walk off."

Cassidy Clothier had an infield hit in the first and Carlie Booe singled in the third as the Lady Miners finished with four hits and the season at 13-10.

"I was really proud of the girls," said Fougerousse. "We just came up a play or two short tonight, but we have every body and we have a very bright future."

SOFTBALL SECTIONAL 47

AT SULLIVAN

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

THURSDAY

Linton-Stockton 100 000 0 -- 1 4 1

South Knox 000 001 2 -- 3 5 1

Game ended with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Followell and Gra. Booe; Keller and Hughes. W -- Keller. L -- Followell. HR -- Keller (S).