NHS SOFTBALL: DISTRICT CHAMPS

JASON PEAKE/ DAILY MAIL NHS senior Olivia Culbertson connects for a three-run home run against Bolivar on Saturday during the first inning of the District 11 championship game. Nevada is home on Wednesday.

By Jason Peake

Daily Mail Sports Editor

BOLIVAR -- Olivia Culbertson was supposed to bunt.

JASON PEAKE/ DAILY MAIL Nevada shortstop Tiffani Long receives the throw from catcher Nikki O'Bryan at second base as Bolivar's Sarah Magana gets set to slide during Saturday afternoon's District 11 championship game. Magana was safe on the play, but Nevada won the game 4-1.

She hit one out instead.

Culbertson's three-run home run lifted the Nevada High School softball team to a 4-1 victory over host Bolivar on Saturday in the championship game of the Class 3, District 11 tournament.

With the win, the Tigers will host a first round contest of the state tourney on Wednesday at Bushwhacker Field.

"This is just one step in the journey," Nevada Coach Tammy Holcomb said of the district title. "Now we're just going to take them one game at a time."

Saturday's district title game was scoreless when Culbertson stepped into the batter's box in the bottom of the first inning with runners on second and first.

A senior third baseman, Culbertson attempted to bunt on the first two pitches she saw, but both went foul.

So with two strikes, Culbertson was clearly swinging away.

And swing away she did.

Culbertson drilled the next pitch from Bolivar's Tristia Patton over the fence in left field, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.

"I should have gotten the bunt down because that was my job," Culbertson said. "But the next pitch was right down the middle, so it worked out pretty well. It felt good, but I didn't know it was gone right away."

In the three-run first inning, senior catcher Nikki O'Bryan walked and junior second baseman Mackenzie Pritchett reached on an infield single, setting the table for Culbertson's homer.

Down 3-0, the Liberators got on the board in the third against Nevada's Christian Novak. Taylor Hedges singled to start the inning, and then Samantha Jacobson popped out attempting to bunt.

But Jalynn Halbrook hit an RBI double to left to cut Nevada's lead to 3-1. Novak retired the next two to get out of the inning.

Bolivar threatened in the sixth. Sarah Magana led off the inning with a single to center and then stole second.

After an out, Magana stole third. Next, Taylor Sechler hit a line drive towards third.

Culbertson made a lunging catch and then turned, dove and tagged out Magana, who was heading back to third, for the inning-ending double play.

"It was just one of those reaction plays," Culbertson said.

Nevada added an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame.

Culbertson reached on an error and then junior outfielder Ashley Shumaker hit an infield single, with Culbertson going to third. Next, junior first baseman Tori Dahmer reached on an error and the bases were loaded. Senior Casey Barker struck out, but the catcher dropped the ball.

Culbertson was then caught in a rundown between third and home, and was eventually called out. But Holcomb argued, the umpires huddled and called Culbertson safe at home due to catcher's interference, making it 4-1.

Novak, batting for only the second game this season, reached on a fielder's choice, with freshman Cheyenne Brewer pinch-running. But Bolivar then retired Nevada junior outfielder Victoria Culbertson to end the inning.

Novak sent down the Liberators in order in the seventh and the Tigers secured a second-straight district title.

Nevada had just three hits in the game (Culbertson's homer, Pritchett and Shumaker's singles), but took advantage of four Bolivar errors.

Novak earned the win on the hill, allowing one run, five hits and one walk while striking out four.

She cruised for the most part, with the hosts threatening in only two of seven innings.

Now 20-5 on the season, Nevada hosts Monett on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in a first round game of the MSHSAA State Softball Championships.

Monett (18-9) won the District 12 title by beating Carl Junction 2-1 on Friday.

Of course, a win on Wednesday would keep the goal of a repeat alive for the defending Class 3 state champs.

"We just need to play our game and do what we have to do," Culbertson said. "We've been through everything before, so we know what to expect. We just need to go out there and do it."

Holcomb said she's confident in her team's chances.

"I expect us to play well," Holcomb said.

All-district team

The Tigers were well-represented on the all-district team. Novak, O'Bryan, Tiffani Long, Olivia Culbertson, Pritchett, and Shumaker were all first team all-district selections.

Next, Dahmer, Victoria Culbertson, Heckadon and Barker were second team all-district picks.

Wednesday's game

Again, the Tigers will host Monett at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Bushwhacker Field. Gates open at 4 p.m. No passes will be accepted. Admission is $6 for ages 6 & up per MSHSAA instructions.

NHS Athletic Director Kevin McKinley said seating will be very limited, so fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. The school is planning on adding two sets of temporary bleachers. McKinley also said NHS was recently informed that parking is not allowed in the Lyons Stadium playground area. Also, parking in the cemetery is prohibited by city ordinance. Parking is limited to the Bushwhacker Softball Field parking lot (east of right field) and the Lyons Stadium baseball field parking area.

Also, the home team for the game is determined by a coin flip, so Nevada is not guaranteed to be the home team on the scoreboard.

About Monett

The Cubs won a district title for the first time since 2004. Monett pitcher Abby Krueger allowed just one hit in the team's victory over Carl Junction. Krueger struck out 10 and retired the first 12 batters she faced.

Nevada defeated Monett 8-1 on Sept. 12. Novak allowed just three hits in that game, while Long and Olivia Culbertson hit back-to-back home runs.

State playoffs

Wednesday's winner will advance to the state quarterfinals and take on the winner of the Sullivan (21-4) vs. Reeds Spring (17-11). That game will be played on Saturday, Oct. 15.

District 11 Tournament

Saturday's result

Nevada 4, Bolivar 1

BOL 001 000 0 -- 1 5 4

NEV 300 001 x -- 4 3 0

WP: Novak (20-5) -- 4K, 1R, 5H, BB. LP: Patton -- 3H, 4R, 7K, 2BB.

District 11 Tournament

Wednesday's scores

Strafford 8, Logan-Rogersville 3

Bolivar 12, Buffalo 0

Thursday's semifinals

Nevada 5, Strafford 0

Bolivar 3, Marshfield 2

Saturday's title game

Nevada 4, Bolivar 1

MSHSAA State

Softball Championships

MONETT AT NEVADA

WHEN: Wednesday, 6 p.m.

WHERE: Bushwhacker Field.

WHAT: First round game of Class 3 state playoffs.