Hornets can’t overcome early deficit, fall to Valle Catholic in C1D2 championship

ADVANCE, Mo. - The upset-minded Advance Hornets couldn't overcome an early five-run deficit despite chipping into the Valle Catholic lead late in the game, losing a tough one Tuesday afternoon 6-3 in the championship of the Class 1, District 2 softball final at Westfield Park in Advance.

Host Advance, seeded third in the tournament having already upended second-seeded Oran a day prior, ran into the Warriors who had steam-rolled through their first two games of district play, beating Meadow Heights in the first round 15-0 and Oak Ridge in the semifinals 12-1.

The Hornets struck first in the opening half of the first inning, pushing across a run as Kaylee Cline drove in Brogan Hawkins who had drawn a leadoff walk.

Unfortunately, that lead did not hold up as Valle Catholic struck for four runs in the bottom half, taking advantage of two costly errors by the Hornet’s usually dependable defense after two consecutive hits off of starting pitcher Addison Carlton. After two near-perfect starts against Bismarck and Oran in the quarterfinals and semifinals, Carlton was knocked around for six runs on 10 hits by Warrior bats, particularly the top four hitters in the Valle Catholic lineup who would go a combined 8-for-19 in the game, scoring all six runs between them.

“They were able to hit some balls in the gaps,” Advance coach James Hamlin said. “We got a little out of our game and were unable to play the defense were had improved on in the last two or three weeks and it just snowballed from there.”

The Hornet's defense allowed three errors, none bigger than the two in the first inning. But nonetheless, Advance battled back later in the game, pushing across single runs in the fifth and sixth inning off of Valle Catholic starting pitcher Bree Zipprich, to climb back into the game.

“Zipprich pitched masterfully,” Hamlin said. “She had us off balance all game but we battled back there towards the end. We kept battling and kept fighting until the last out. We had some opportunities where we could've cut into their lead even more. We just couldn't get that timely hit when we needed it.”

Zipprich ended up throwing a complete game for the Warriors with 12 strikeouts to go with two walks and three runs surrendered on four hits.

Valle Catholic (17-3) will now play C1D1 champion Risco (19-12), who upset top-seeded Holcomb, in the state quarterfinals.

“Congratulations to Valle Catholic on its district championship,” Hamlin said, gracious in defeat. “They are a really good team and will be a handful for anybody in the next round. Our girls grew a lot this season and I’m very proud of each and every one of them. We had a lot of new faces from the last couple of years and if there is a silver lining, we aren't losing anybody to graduation for next year.”

Advance ends its season with a 15-6 record.