Farmington reaches title game with 10-0 shutout

Farmington shortstop Jayce Jarvis rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a Class 4, District 1 semifinal softball game against Festus on Monday night in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

FARMINGTON – With sound performances in every phase, the Farmington softball team cruised into the Class 4, District 1 championship round on Monday night.

Elly Robbins was sharp from the circle in a three-hitter, and finished 3-for-3 with four runs scored as the second-seeded Knights blanked Festus 10-0.

Jayce Jarvis tied the single-season program record for home runs with her 12th, highlighting a five-run outburst in the sixth inning that sealed the victory.

Farmington (20-8) swept all three meetings this fall with the Lady Tigers, and advanced to face Notre Dame in a district final rematch from last year.

Jayden Tucker finished 2-for-3 plus a walk, and put the Knights ahead by slicing an RBI double to right field after Robbins had doubled to left-center in the bottom of the first.

Festus pitcher Ava Oberle appeared to have worked around two runners in the third, but a defensive miscue gifted Farmington a couple of two-out runs.

Shelby Bowling lifted a medium-deep fly ball that center fielder Maddie Kisses waited to catch, but the drive eluded her outstretched glove. Jarvis and Robbins crossed the plate to make it 3-0.

Festus (18-10) hoped to create some more postseason excitement after topping North County on a walk-off home run by Aubrey Doyle late Friday night.

Farmington pitcher Elly Robbins delivers to a Festus batter during the fourth inning of a Class 4, District 1 semifinal softball game on Monday night in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

Robbins never allowed such a scenario to materialize. The junior ace amassed 10 strikeouts, painting outside corners and throwing an effective riser in two-strike situations.

The Lady Tigers saw 10 of their first 11 batters retired, and generated their initial hit when Keeleigh Hankins singled in the top of the fourth.

Oberle yielded seven hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings. The Knights put together another scoring rally against her in the fifth.

Jocelyn Grimes slapped an opposite-field single on the first pitch, and moved to third as Robbins lined a single to center before stealing a base.

Emilee Gillam came through with a bases-loaded, two-RBI single for a 5-0 advantage after Tucker had coaxed a walk. Farmington pulled farther ahead in the sixth.

Olivia Hartupee greeted reliever Aubrey Doyle with a single, and sparked a streak of six consecutive hits by the Knights.

Jarvis landed a two-run shot over the right-field fence to equal the 12 home runs compiled by former teammate and current Bradley University player Angelia Davis.

Grimes notched her second single, and Robbins picked up her third hit before Tucker made it 8-0. Bowling punctuated the win by grounding a two-run double into the left-field corner.

Audrie Morgan added a single, and Avery Graham had a sacrifice bunt as Farmington found timely production throughout its batting order.

Festus offered its best scoring threat in the top of the sixth, eventually loading the bases with two outs on singles by Carlie Isbell and Oberle, plus a hit batsmen.

But the strongest contact of the frame resulted in line outs to Jarvis at shortstop and Grimes in center. Robbins caught Kissee looking to preserve the shutout after falling behind 2-0 in the count.

Notre Dame upset top seed Hillsboro 3-1 in the previous semifinal game.

Farmington designated player Emilee Gillam lines a two-run single during the fifth inning of a Class 4, District 1 semifinal softball game against Festus on Monday night in Farmington.

Farmington center fielder Jocelyn Grimes catches a fly ball as left fielder Audrie Morgan looks on during the sixth inning of a Class 4, District 1 semifinal softball game against Festus on Monday night in Farmington.

Farmington third baseman Shelby Bowling grounds a two-run double in the sixth inning against Festus to close out a 10-0 victory Class 4, District 1 semifinal softball action on Monday night in Farmington.

Farmington second baseman Olivia Hartupee heads toward the dugout after catching a line drive during the first inning of a Class 4, District 1 semifinal softball game against Festus on Monday night in Farmington.