Lady Cougars downed in district heartbreaker

It was a tough finish to a strong season for the Lady Cougar softball team in their first game of the district tournament at Monette on Friday, as the girls fell to rival Marmaduke in a late-game surge, 9-8.

Rector led 8-5 going into the final frame, but Chelsea Drope hit a three-run inside-the-park homerun for the Lady Greyhounds to tie the teams up at 8-8 with two outs. Marmaduke's Tori Benoit brought in the go-ahead run with an RBI double to set the final in place.

The Lady Cougars managed to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to generate the necessary runs off the opportunity.

Marmaduke struck first in the game, plating one run in the second and two in the third to jump out to a 3-0 advantage. Rector fought back, however, using their watchful eyes to take advantage of opportunities at the plate, drawing five walks in the fourth inning on their way to scoring three runs in the frame to make it a tied ballgame. Bethany Sisneros got the rally started with a single and was followed with a walk by Hillary Calhoun, a single by Rebecca Dodd and walks by Rhoda Classen, Brittany Sharp, Harmony Cagle and Stephanie DeMent.

Marmaduke reclaimed a one run lead in the fifth, but Rector answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame. The Lady 'Hounds scored once in the sixth, while the Lady Cougars plated three more in their half of the inning.

"It's disappointing," Rector coach Bob Alberson said. "We fought our way back into the game, but just didn't have enough there at the end to get the win. Still, I'm proud of how we played this season."

Sisneros led the way at the plate, going 3-4 with three runs scored. Calhoun finished 1-3 with a walk three RBIs. Also hitting for Rector were Bradford 1-3 with an RBI and a walk, Dodd 1-2 with two walks and Classen 1-2 with two walks.

Hannah Huffines led Marmaduke, going 3-4 with three RBIs. Also hitting for Marmaduke were Morgan Hatcher 3-4 with two RBIs, Drope 1-3 with a three-run homer, Benoit 2-4 with two RBIs and Megan Nolen was 1-3.

Loss to BIC

The Lady Cougars lost to Buffalo Island Central at Monette in regular season play Thursday, 13-10.

In a foreshadowing of things to come, the late surge by BIC cost Rector, as the Lady Mustangs rattled off 11 runs in the final three innings.

Sisneros paced the Lady Cougars, finishing the day 3-4 with three RBIs. Also hitting were Calhoun 1-2 with two walks and two RBIs and DeMent and Cagle, who both finished 1-2 with an RBI and two walks each.

Four Lady Cougars received postseason awards for their strong play. Bradford and Calhoun were both named to the All-State and All-Conference teams. DeMent and Sisneros were also selected to the All-Conference team.

"I'm proud of this entire team," Alberson said. "I was impressed with how we played this season and more, I was pleased with the number of coaches who told me they were impressed by us. That says a lot about a team.

"Amanda Bradford did an outstanding job for us. She came in as a freshman and was calm and collected on the mound for us.

"Hillary Calhoun is the most decorated female athlete in the school's history. She does everything well. This is her second All-State selection.

"Bethany Sisneros came out every day with a positive attitude and worked hard to become one of our best hitters.

"Stephanie DeMent is another hard worker who improved every time out. She was a solid shortstop and leadoff hitter."