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NHS SOFTBALL: A DOMINATING VICTORY
Jason Peake
Daily Mail Sports Editor
NEVADA -- Stellar pitching. Clutch hitting. Solid defense. And don't forget experience.
All of those factors combined propelled the Nevada High School softball team to a dominating 18-1 win over Monett on Wednesday night in a sectional contest of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 3 state playoffs at a jam-packed Bushwhacker Field.
Dominant in all facets of the game, the experienced Tigers rolled over the young, inexperienced Cubs and secured a second-straight sectional title.
With the win, the Tigers advance to the state quarterfinals, where they'll play at Sullivan on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
In a showdown of District 11 & 12 winners, Nevada used a couple of big innings to turn a close game into a blowout.
"Base hits turned into great hits," Nevada Coach Tammy Holcomb said. "And that's what we're looking for from here on out. I'm just very proud of the girls. They're focused right now and they finished tonight. And that's been our goal."
The Tigers led 3-0 in the top of the fifth when the hosts pulled away against Monett freshman right-hander Allie Krueger.
With one out, senior catcher Nikki O'Bryan hit a triple to right field. Junior second baseman Mackenzie Pritchett followed with a bunt single, with O'Bryan staying at third.
Next, senior shortstop Tiffani Long lined a two-run double to right-center for a 5-0 lead.
The Tigers weren't done.
Senior third baseman Olivia Culbertson walked and then junior outfielder Ashley Shumaker drilled a three-run home run over the fence in right, depositing the ball into the crowd of fans. The blast gave Nevada an 8-0 lead.
Monett made a pitching change, bringing in junior Raigan Ratliff. It didn't slow down the Tigers, though.
Junior first baseman Tori Dahmer walked, bringing up senior designated player Casey Barker. Baker then connected for a two-run homer over the fence in left, and suddenly it was 10-0.
Monett finally got out of the inning, but the damage was done.
The Cubs scored once in the bottom half of the inning against Nevada pitcher Christian Novak.
With one out, an error on Nevada in the outfield allowed freshman Brooke Madison to reach third. Novak walked freshman Brooke Burnside. Junior Jessica Harper's fielder's choice allowed a run to score, with a force out at second. Novak then struck out Ratliff to end the inning.
But because the Cubs got on the board, the game did not end due to the run-rule.
After a scoreless sixth, the Tigers put the finishing touches on the victory with a huge seventh inning.
Dahmer doubled to left to start things off and Barker walked. Novak then hit an RBI single to right, making it 11-1. Freshman Cheyenne Brewer pinch ran for Novak.
Junior outfielder Victoria Culbertson reached on an error and another run scored.
O'Bryan then lined an RBI single to left for a 13-1 cushion.
Pritchett then drove in two more runs with a double to left.
Long and Olivia Culbertson were both retired, but Shumaker hit a run-scoring double to right field, making it 16-1.
Next, the Cubs were unable to field Dahmer's grounder and it was 17-1.
Barker singled and then Novak drove in the final run with a single.
When Monett finally got out of the inning, eight more runs had scored on eight hits and two errors.
Novak walked one in the bottom half of the seventh, but then retired the side to secure the win.
A junior right-hander, Novak picked up the win on the mound. She allowed just one hit. Novak walked five and struck out 12.
"Mixing my pitches was the key," Novak said. "Nikki does a really good job behind the plate calling the pitches."
"Christian did a great job, she always does," Holcomb said. "The defense played great behind her. And she had the offense putting up runs for her, so that made it easier for her."
Novak said the team's offensive outburst in the fifth made things easier for her.
"It really helped a lot," Novak said. "Having a lead like that just makes everything so much more comfortable out there. If you make one mistake, it's not that big of a deal when you have a lead like that."
Facing a Monett team they beat 8-1 a month ago during the regular season, Nevada got on the board in the first inning. With one out, Pritchett walked and then went to second on Long's ground out.
Olivia Culbertson then drilled an RBI single to left for a 1-0 lead.
Novak struck out all three batters she faced in the first and then struck out the first two in the second.
Monett threatened in the frame, with a runner in scoring position after a walk and a stolen base. But Nevada's Pritchett made a nice catch at second to end the inning.
The Cubs also had a chance in the third. With one out, Harper singled, but tried to stretch it into a double. Left fielder Victoria Culbertson got the ball back in quickly and Harper was caught in a rundown. Eventually, she was tagged out at second by Long. Next, Ratliff walked, but was thrown out trying to steal by O'Bryan, ending the inning.
Nevada pulled away in the fourth inning.
With one out, Olivia Culbertson and Shumaker both walked. Dahmer then hit a two-run double to right-center, making it 3-0.
Of course, a seven-run fifth and the eight-run seventh quickly turned a close game into a blowout.
"Softball's a funny game," Monett Coach Ty Goetz said. "I thought our first pitcher did her job pretty well and was hitting her spots. But one or two breaks and the flood gates opened."
Shumaker had five RBIs on two hits, while Barker, Novak, Dahmer and Pritchett all drove in two runs apiece for Nevada. Everyone got involved, as O'Bryan, Dahmer, Pritchett, Long, Shumaker, Barker and Novak all had two hits apiece, while Olivia and Victoria Culbertson had one hit apiece. The team's defense was stellar, as well, with just one error.
Monett Coach Goetz gave the Tigers credit after the game.
"Experience was a key," Goetz said. "Coming in, I thought since we're so young, our girls might be real relaxed and not feel any pressure. But it kind of worked against us. Their girls are so experienced."
Goetz had one final point.
"They're the defending state champs for a reason."
NEXT: Quarterfinals
Again, Nevada (21-5) will head to Sullivan (22-4) on Saturday for a state quarterfinal game at 12:30 p.m. Sullivan defeated Reed's Springs 12-0 on Wednesday night.
Holcomb said the goal is a simple one.
"Focus and finish," she said. "That's our goal."
Nevada 18, Monett 1
NEV 100 270 8 -- 18 16 1
MON 000 010 0 -- 1 1 3
WP: Novak (7IP, 1H, 1R, 5BB, 12K).
LP: Krueger (4 1/3 IP, 6H, 8K).
HR: Shumaker, Barker.