Monarchs Marching Back to State
First-inning run, Pettit pitching sparks JM to 1-0 win
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By CODY TOMER
Sports Writer
GLEN DALE -- John Marshall softball coach Ed West didn't expect Wednesday's decisive Game 3 of the Class AAA, Region 1 Championship game to be a high scoring affair.
He was correct.
The Monarchs plated an early run in the first inning and star pitcher Kadence Pettit did the rest as they defeated visiting University 1-0 to win the regional title and advance to the state tournament for the second consecutive year.
Perhaps the most crucial at-bat of the game occurred in the bottom of the first as JM leadoff hitter Paytyn Tucker fouled pitch after pitch off to work a full count before drawing an impressive walk. After using her skills at the plate, she used her legs to swipe second.
Then, with two outs, cleanup hitter Kadence Pettit crushed a pitch to deep left field, which went in and out of the fielder's glove, allowing Tucker to race home with the game's only run.
"It was a very tight game," West said. "It was well-pitched and well-played on both sides. It's fortunate that we got that run when we did and were able to hold on. We went down there (Tuesday for Game 2) and beat them 7-1. We got the bats rolling a little bit and I didn't really expect that again. I thought it would be a very tight game and it was."
The Monarchs nearly added some insurance runs in the fifth as they loaded the bases but were unable to bring home a run.
"We could have gotten a couple runs there to get a little breathing room but it didn't happen," West said. "That just intensified everything the last two innings. There was a lot of nervous excitement in the dugout but everyone was pulling for each other. Those girls put it all on the line trying to make plays. It was just a great atmosphere."
The main reason the Hawks were unable to get on the scoreboard was because of the pitcher in the circle for John Marshall.
Pettit struck out nine, while allowing two walks (one intentional) and two hits.
She also struck out the side in the seventh to send her teammates sprinting toward her in celebration of another trip to the state tournament.
"I just threw my fastball and the curveball a little bit," Pettit said. "I used the changeup a little bit, too, but I really relied on my fastball to hit my locations."
Even after seeing the same team three nights in a row, Pettit just trusted herself, her skills and her defense to get the job done.
"I just have to rely on my pitches to really get me through their offense," Pettit said. "They've seen me so many times before so I just try to do my best and it's extremely helpful knowing that if it gets hit in play there is like a 99% chance it's going to be an out."
Autumn Stemple pitched solidly for the Hawks as well as she threw a complete game with six strikeouts and three walks, while holding JM to just one hit.
University coach Mindy Parks thought her team should be proud of how they battled on the road until the end of Game 3 of the series.
"We gave them a good fight and gave them a great series," Parks said. "I think we earned a little respect, too. We're the underdogs but we just couldn't string our hits together. We had some runners on first and second and just couldn't do anything with our big batters up. We had a few opportunities but couldn't score."
As the Monarchs now prepare for another state tourney trip, Pettit believes last year's experience will help the squad stay loose this time around.
"I think we have a better chance than we did last year," Pettit said. "Last year we were scared and nervous but this year we are prepared for whatever will come our way."