Bottom of 7th inning proves unkind to KHS softball squad

Another disappointing district loss befell the Kingfisher softball team, but this time in dramatic fashion.

With her team trailing, Blackwell’s Raegan Moore slapped a two-run triple in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Lady Maroons past KHS, 2-1.

It was the Lady Jackets’ second narrow District 4A-1 loss in as many nights. They were defeated 2-0 Monday at Newcastle.

The Tuesday matchup was the resumption of what was supposed to be a double-header the previous Tuesday.

KHS won that opener 4-1 before strong winds and some rains forced Blackwell back north and the second game to be played a week later.

Like she did in their first matchup, Olivia Wilcox was able to keep Blackwell’s bats quiet much of the night.

The Lady Maroons had just five hits - but never more than one in an inning - through the first six innings.

Wilcox struck out the leadoff in the seventh - her 12th of the game - but the next two Blackwell hitters singled to set up Moore’s walk-off hit.

Bree Rowe, meanwhile, was doing her part to keep the KHS bats quiet.

She allowed just four hits and struck out six.

Emma Lukasek walked in the fifth and eventually reached third before Brittany Willson drove her home.

The Lady Jackets had a chance to extend their lead in the top of the seventh when they loaded the bases with one out, but couldn’t capitalize.

Willson had two of Kingfisher’s hits. Merrin Evans and Natalie Dick had the others.

Kingfisher was playing its second straight game without senior Kaycee Karcher, who suffered an ankle injury in games last weekend.

The loss dropped KHS to 4-6 in district games.

Unfortunately for the Lady Jackets, deja vu paid a visit on Thursday.

Leading Class A’s 12th-ranked Pioneer entering the bottom of the seventh, KHS gave up two runs in a 3-2 defeat on the road.

The Lady Jackets staked claim to a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth when they finally broke through against Lady Mustang pitcher Katelyn Trumbley.

Wilcox reached on an error and scored on Emma Lukasek’s double.

Lukasek was pushed home when Taylor Mills followed with a triple.

Two groundouts ended the threat.

Wilcox retired the first two batters in the seventh before hitting a batter.

Brooklyn Cantrell then tied it with an RBI double.

Cantrell scored the winning run on Aspen Stephens’ walk-up single.

Wilcox gave up only six hits and struck out nine despite being saddled with the loss.

She had two of Kingfisher’s six hits on offense.

The Lady Jackets, however, did pick up a win in a close game in the three-way at Pioneer.

They used a three-run fifth to take the lead over Waukomis before holding on 6-5.

With the game tied at 3-all, Mia Farrell led off the fifth by reaching on a bunt.

She scored later on an error as Kingfisher’s bats heated up.

Dick and Wilcox followed Farrell with backto-back doubles and both scored on Mya Dewberry’s triple for the three run lead.

Waukomis got one back in the sixth and still another in the seventh to pull within a run, but Wilcox forced a groundout to end the game.

Wilcox struck out five and surrendered four hits. Only one of the five runs

Only one of the five runs was earned.

KHS scored its first two runs in the third inning, including an RBI groundout from Dick.

Willson’s single in the fourth drove home Mills.

Farrell, who was 2 for 3 and scored twice, was the lone Lady Jacket with multiple hits.