Hunters hand Lady Raiders third one-run loss
BONNE TERRE — The Ste. Genevieve Hunters and the North County Lady Raiders have faced each other three times and each time the Hunters have won by only one run, dispelling the myth of the third time is a charm.
The most recent conflict came on Monday in the MAAA Conference Tournament semi-final game with the Hunters taking an 8-7 win to set a school softball record of 15 wins in a season.
The Hunters dialed up long ball as they hit three balls over the fence, starting with Allison Layton hitting a solo shot in the third. Regan Zerwig hit a solo home run in the fourth to start a three-run rally. Ashley Viox started a four-run splurge in the top of the seventh with her home run.
Down by three runs, the Lady Raiders did not give up as they rallied to score two of the needed three. Shelby Westbrooks singled and moved to third on a double by Emily Robinson who had homered in the sixth. Megan Parks nearly scored the third run when her smash hit just short of the top of the outfield fence for a two-run double. A run-saving, diving catch by Jamie Viox in left-center preserved the Hunters’ lead as the third out was recorded on a ground ball.
Jessica Newburry struck out seven batters despite taking the loss as North County did not commit an error in the game.
Robinson, Parks, Newburry and Alisha Caro had two hits each for North County.
Ste. Genevieve (14-8) will play Central at Bonne Terre’s Dairy Fields this afternoon at 6 p.m. in the championship game. North County (10-9) will face Farmington in the third place game at 4 p.m.
