NEW MARKET – Southmont’s softball team played well offensively and defensively. The only problem was the South Putnam Eagles played better and defeated the Mounties 9-5 in the second game of the 2A Sectional 44 Monday night.
Each team hit two homeruns, but the Eagles collected nine hits in the game. Southmont could only muster six hits.
Southmont Coach Dan Taylor said coming into the game he believed his team could hang with the high-powered Eagles, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough.
“South Putnam is a really good offensive team,” Mountie Taylor said. “We tried hanging with them as much as we could but eventually their offense took over. They have good hitters all through their lineup.”
After Southmont scored a run in the top of the first inning, South Putnam answered with three runs. The first three batters in the lineup ended up on base in about every way a softball player can. Leadoff Braylin Boroff, who ended the day going 3-for-3 with 3 RBI, was walked. Lilah Holderfield then doubled scoring Boroff. Alyssa Pringleton reached on an error.
South Putnam ended with two more hits in the inning earn a 3-1 lead after one inning.
The Mounties scored one run in the second when freshman Kenzie Clate hit a homerun to pull her team to within 3-2.
After going scoreless in the second inning, South Putnam sent 10 players up to bat. In the inning the Eagles collected six hits, all after two outs.
The big blows came from two 2-RBI doubles by Boroff and Madison Carpenter. When the dust settled South Putnam led 7-2.
The Mounties kept battling and scored three runs of the own when Catie Himes connected on a 3-run homerun to dead centerfield. The Mounties were in the ballgame only down 7-5.
But just like in the opening inning, South Putnam answered with two runs of their own. Boroff connected on a 2-run round tripper to make the score 9-5 after five innings. Neither team scored again.
South Putnam outhit the Mounties 12-5. The Eagles collected six extra base hits.
“We battled and made it interesting,” Taylor said. “We saw a little fight and determination and I was really proud of the girls. Sometimes it just doesn’t end up going your way.”
After the game Taylor complimented his lone senior, Kami Dinius. Dinius in the three-year starter and will finish being an over .300 hitter in her career.
“Kami has been rock solid for us in her career,” Taylor said. “She had grown into someone we could always count on. She is tough and played tough. We call her Nails because she was never going to be hurt.”
“Overall we saw softball being played like we want to see,” Taylor added. “It was good softball to watch. It wasn’t sloppy and they just ended up hitting the ball better than we did.”
The Mounties end their 2024 season with an 8-15 record while the Eagles improve to 12-12 and play Parke Heritage in Tuesday’s semi-final.
South will look forrward to 2025 when it will be a very senior heavy team and have even more depth on the mound.
