The outstanding undefeated season of the Switzerland County Lady Pacer varsity softball team came to an unexpected and emotional end last Thursday night with a 4-3 Sectional loss to South Ripley.
The loss was the first of the season for Switzerland County, and it also stopped their defense of their Sectional title. The Lady Pacers wrap up the season with a perfect 12-0 conference record and a 19-1 overall mark.
“We just couldn’t get the key plays and the key hits that we needed to beat a very fired up Lady Raider team,” coach Steven Konkle said. “We made some key errors both physically and mentally. We had a great run and I believe that we will be back stronger next year, and we’re looking forward to hosting our first sectional.”
Coach Konkle also thanked all of the fans who followed the Lady Pacers throughout the season, including the large crowd that came to Thursday’s sectional game.
Kodi Driver took the hard luck loss on the mound, finishing her season with a 15-1 record. In Thursday’s game she struck out three and allowed seven hits while not allowing a walk. Three of South Ripley’s four runs were earned.
Tanya Sefton, Holly Jackson, and Ashley Chase all scored runs in the game; with Holly Jackson getting an RBI in the opening inning and Jaclyn Ranz picking up a run batted in during the sixth inning.
Natalie Graham had a triple in the second inning; Tanya Sefton and Brittany Cole both had a bunt singles in the first inning; Holly Jackson had a single in the fifth; and Natalie Daugherty had a single in the sixth.
Ashley Chase had three steals in the game; while Tanya Sefton had two stolen bases. Other bases were stolen by Brittany Cole and Natalie Daugherty.
With the sudden end to the season, Coach Konkle also praised his three seniors.
“Our three seniors, Holly (Jackson), Brittany (Cole), and Jaclyn (Ranz) deserve a lot of credit for the success that this team has had this year,” the coach said. “Not just for their stats, but for their mental outlook and team play for this game and all season long.”