For Butler, it was a matter of good pitching and great defense.
For Green County, it wasn’t anything like May 21st.
On that date, the Lady Dragons traveled to Butler and won rather convincingly, 9-1. In that win, Green County pounded out 15-hits and pitcher Kaitlyn Milby allowed just one run in a complete game win, while Butler struggled offensively and both pitchers Maria Peguero and Sadie Werner allowed five earned runs between them in the loss.
My how things change.
This time around things were very different as the Lady Bears pounded Milby and her replacement Tatum Caulk for 10-hits and 10-runs, while Peguero went the distance allowing just two runs in her seven innings of work and her defense held firm allowing just one error and made some great plays as the Lady Bears advanced to the KHSAA State Final with a 10-2 win.
Some thought this would be the best game of the day as both teams and featured great come-from-behind performances during their Region and State Tournament runs. Unfortunately for the Lady Dragons it got out of control quickly although they did get on the scoreboard first.
After Haley Judd flied out, Madi Corbin and Mikka Thompson singled to put runners on first and second and Tanlee Hudgins singled over thr first base line scoring Corbin.
Butler came right back in the bottom of the first when Addisyn McNeil singled and Thompson reached on a fielders choice as McNeil was erased at second. Kyndal Tinnell homered to center to make the score 2-1. The Lady Bears added two more in the third on Tinnell’s double scoring McNeil and Emily Williams single scoring Thompson to make it 4-1.
Green County added a run in the top of the fourth when Madi Corbin single scored Lexi Beard, who had singled earlier to make it 4-2, but Butler added four more runs in the bottom of that inning after Tatum Caulk replaced Milby and faced eight batters in that inning. The biggest blow was Kennadi Thompson’s double to center with the bases loaded which scored three more runs making the score 8-2 and then Thompson picked up two more RBI’s in the bottom of the fifth when her single scored McNeil and Nina Camara to finish the scoring at 10-2.
Just as damaging as Green County’s two errors which continued Butler scoring drives were the 10-base runners stranded. Six of which were in the first three innings when the game was in doubt. It was a reversal of the previous night when the Lady Dragons found ways to win against Warren East, who left 10-runners on base.
Green County’s season ends with a 32-11 season and the four seniors graduated will be missed. Meanwhile, Butler will play tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 for the State Championship against Daviess County.
