Beardstown’s 11/12 Softball team made their weekend to the state tournament a very successful and fun experience this weekend. They got things started on Saturday when they took on Evergreen Park. Right away it would be shown that Beardstown would have little trouble with this team as Beardstown would score 3 runs in the first and 6 runs in the second en route to a 11-1 victory. The big stories to come out of this game was Autumn Hobrock finally finding her bat as she went 3-3 with 3 RBI’s and 3 runs scored. The other story was the outing on the mound for Olivia Dour. She would have a bit of trouble with the first batter she face but she got into a rhythm and really looked like the pitcher that we have seen in the past. The line score for Evergreen Park was 1 run, 5 hits, 3 errors, and 6 left on base while Beardstown would score 11 runs, on 9 hits, commit 1 error, and only left 2 on base.
The second day of action saw Beardstown taking on a very tough, and quick, Freeport club. Needless to say this game would prove to be the game of the tournament season when it was all said and done. After 4 and a half innings of play both teams would be scoreless but Beardstown would soon find their bats getting 2 runs on 2 hits in the bottom of the 5th. Needing only 3 outs would prove to be a challenge for Beardstown in the top of the 6th as Freeport used a lead off Ground Rule Double from Abby Smith to plate 3 runs and turn the tables on Beardstown. However with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th inning and no one on, Taylor Danner was able to reach safely on an error. Raquel Rawlins would get a base hit and then Maddie Craig would walk to load the bases for Olivia Dour. Luckily for Beardstown the Freeport catcher, Taylor Holland, would allow a rare pass ball and Danner was able to slide into home safely to tie the game up. Dour came out in the top of the 7th and pitched through a tough jam to give her team a chance to end it. Autumn Hobrock would come up and line a double on the third pitch of her at bat followed by Alyssa Dour sending a walk off double to score Hobrock and earn Beardstown a spot in Tuesday night’s state championship contest. This Beardstown squad would not give up today and their fight and determination has earned them the day off tomorrow. If Beardstown can win Tuesday, or Wednesday if defeated on Tuesday, they would earn themselves a trip to the Central Region Tournament in Indianapolis.
Behind The Scenes 