The word “Dynasty” when brought up in discussion regarding a particular team always creates great water cooler conversation. Whichever team it is for example: the Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Celtics, Detroit Red Wings, Steelers, UConn Ladies Basketball, New 
York Yankees or someone else, usually there will always be a disagreement as to who gets the Dynasty label.
I am pretty sure that the Owensboro Catholic Lady Aces would be unanimous in the eyes of high school sports enthusiast that their program is the gold standard in high school softball over the scope of the programs history.
Since 2001, the Lady Aces have won 13 consecutive region championships and 39 straight region tournament games.
Even when the Lady Aces are in a rebuilding year, they are better than most and have earned the respect of coaches and players across the state.
The 2013 3rd region championship between Edmonson County and the Lady Aces was one for the memory books.
Two great diving defensive plays in the top of the 6th by tournament MVP second baseman Lilly Geotz and shortstop Brittany Murphy Stymied the Lady Cats keeping the Lady Aces in the game. Offensively, with Brittany Murphy at the plate with one out, drove home Goetz and James with a line-drive single to center to tie the game at 3.
“I’d been struggling at bat the whole game,” said Murphy, who was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts as she stepped to the plate for the fourth time. “I’m a senior and I didn’t want to let the team down in that situation. I just tried to calm down and focus on what needed to be done for us to get back in the game. Fortunately, it worked out.”
Junior Hadley Shepherd two batters later with Murphy representing the go-ahead run at third hit a hard single scoring Murphy and giving the Lady Aces their first lead of the game.
Jessica Carmon, whose velocity picked up noticeably.. The senior right-hander Jessica Carmon retired Edmonson County in order, striking out the first two batters. Owensboro Catholic comes back to win the 3rd region championship 4-3.
AT STATE: The Lady Aces were determined not to let happen last season at state happen this season and that was losing two straight games and being eliminated from the tournament. Mission accomplished as the Lady Aces breezed through the first two games defeating Livingston Central (14-2) and Ashland Blazer (5-1). The road got a little more difficult for the Lady Aces as they fought their way back to the championship game via the consolation bracket after losing a 12 inning twilight game against Mercy (3-2). The Lady Aces really showed their true colors and determination by turning right around and having to play Livingston Central at 11:00 pm because of earlier delays that day and their 12 inning game against Mercy. The Lady Aces defeated Livingston Central 4-2 sending the Lady Aces home for a short night’s rest as a 9:00am game against Boyle County would come early.
Once again, the Lady Aces determined not to lose had to go another 12 inning game in order to defeat Boyle County (3-2) setting up a rematch against Mercy who was defeated earlier by Greenwood. The Lady Aces in a slugfest with Mercy outlasted them by a score of (9-8) setting up the Championship game against Greenwood Lady Gators who did not lose a game in the tournament, in fact had not lost a game all season sitting at (43-0) .
In the Championship game two of the states most storied programs would go heads up to determine the 2013 KHSAA State Champion. the Lady Aces (33-11) verses the Greenwood Lady Gators (43-0) . In addition to the teams, you have the coaches both in the Hall of Fame with Owensboro Catholic’s George Randolf #1 active winningest coach in the State, and Greenwood’s Penny Reece #2 active winningest coach.
The Lady Gators played four games to find themselves in the Championship, the Lady Aces road was not so easy, but showed the resilience and determination of this season’s squad by playing six games of which two of them were played that morning of the championship game played at 1:00 in the afternoon.
The Lady Aces came up short in the championship game against Greenwood losing (8-0). It’s easy to say there are not any other state championship sports that are so demanding as far as schedules than softball. You could say the Lady Aces lost the war, but won the battle as they displayed great courage and determination in their quest for the 2013 KHSAA State Softball Championship. Great season and congratulations to Coach George Randolph his staff and players.
Visit www.sportingtimesmagazine.com to see the 3rd region championship photo gallery.
By The Numbers:
MOST STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
5 – OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (1998, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2009)
3 – Reidland (1995, 2002, 2010)
2 – Greenwood (2007, 2008, 2013)
2 – DuPont Manual (1997, 2000)
1 – Christian County (1996)
1 – North Laurel (2001)
1 – Calloway County (2004)
1 – Ryle (2006)
MOST CONSECUTIVE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2 – OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (1998, 1999)
2 – Greenwood (2007, 2008)
MOST ALL-TIME WINS (Min. 200)
521 – North Laurel 1995-2010 (16) 521-111-1
496 – Reidland 1995-2010 (16) 496-139
495 – Christian County 1995-2010 (16) 495-143
489 – OWENSBORO CATHOLIC 1996-2010 (15) 489-153-6
464 – Greenwood 1995-2010 (16) 464-133-1
448 – George Rogers Clark 1995-2010 (16) 448-175
444 – South Laurel 1995-2010 (16) 444-161
421 – Allen County – Scottsville 1995-2010 (16) 421-169-3
413 – Lafayette 1995-2010 (16) 413-166
399 – Middlesboro 1995-2010 (16) 399-123
MOST WINS IN A SEASON (Min. 35)
44 – Greenwood (2013)
40 – Christian County (2010)
40 – OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (2003)
39 – Christian County (2007
39 – Ryle (2007)
39 – Middlesboro (2004)
39 – North Laurel (1995, 2001)
38 – Reidland (2010)
38 – OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (2008)
38 – Ryle (2008)
38 – North Laurel (2000)
37 – Manual (2000)
37 – Middlesboro (2003)
37 – OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (2004)
37 – North Laurel (1999, 2008)
37 – Reidland (1997, 1998)
37 – Scott County (2007)
37 – Greenwood (2008)
36 – OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (1999, 2004)
35 – OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (1997, 1998, 2009)
MOST COACHING WINS (Min. 200)
489* – GEORGE RANDOLPH (OWENSBORO CATHOLIC) (15) 489-143-6
451 – Tony Burkeen (Reidland, Christian County) (14) 451-127
464* – Penny Reece (Greenwood) (16) 464-133-1
448 – Jackie McCloud (George Rogers Clark) (16) 448-175
384* – Jesse Huff (South Hopkins, Hopkins Co. Central) (15) 384-174
359* – Mike Herald (Meade County) (15) 359-NA
346* – Tracy Spickard (Franklin Co.) (14) 346-169-3
323 – Jimmy Durham (North Laurel)(10) 323-72-1
322* – Larry Slone (Rowan County) (16) 322-199
308* – Mike Wainscott (Paul Laurence Dunbar) (13) 308-124-1
*coach is still active coaching
