JUDA - No. 5-seeded Argyle upset top-seeded Juda in the second round of the WIAA Division 4 softball playoffs, 8-4 in eight innings Tuesday.
Juda scored two runs in each of the first two innings to take a 4-2 lead. However, errors mounted and the Panthers could not win despite getting 11 strikeouts and just three walks from freshman starter Amber Ramos.
"Youth eventually catches up with you," Juda head coach Bill Davis said. "Errors were the key. Kids will make mistakes. It's just not the way we wanted to go out."
Argyle chipped away at Juda's lead, scoring a run in the fourth, and the tying run in the seventh. In the eighth inning, the Orioles collected four hits, two walks, and welcomed a crucial error to plate four runners.
"They hit the ball well, and we left eight runners in scoring position," Davis said.
Kelsey Bartles picked up the win, striking out nine hitters while walking seven. Kelsey Ostby was 3-for-4 with a double for Argyle. Aly Pierce was 3-4 for Juda and lone Panther senior Tara Allen was 2-5 with a double in her final prep game.
Argyle will face Barneveld on Thursday for the regional championship.
Barneveld 3, Black Hawk 2
BARNEVELD - The Eagles picked up a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to stave off the upset Tuesday.
Kayla Melland had one strikeout and three walks for the Warriors.
Black Hawk scored two runs in the first, but Barneveld tied the score with two runs in the bottom of the third. The Warriors could not take advantage of five errors by the Eagles.
Juda scored two runs in each of the first two innings to take a 4-2 lead. However, errors mounted and the Panthers could not win despite getting 11 strikeouts and just three walks from freshman starter Amber Ramos.
"Youth eventually catches up with you," Juda head coach Bill Davis said. "Errors were the key. Kids will make mistakes. It's just not the way we wanted to go out."
Argyle chipped away at Juda's lead, scoring a run in the fourth, and the tying run in the seventh. In the eighth inning, the Orioles collected four hits, two walks, and welcomed a crucial error to plate four runners.
"They hit the ball well, and we left eight runners in scoring position," Davis said.
Kelsey Bartles picked up the win, striking out nine hitters while walking seven. Kelsey Ostby was 3-for-4 with a double for Argyle. Aly Pierce was 3-4 for Juda and lone Panther senior Tara Allen was 2-5 with a double in her final prep game.
Argyle will face Barneveld on Thursday for the regional championship.
Barneveld 3, Black Hawk 2
BARNEVELD - The Eagles picked up a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to stave off the upset Tuesday.
Kayla Melland had one strikeout and three walks for the Warriors.
Black Hawk scored two runs in the first, but Barneveld tied the score with two runs in the bottom of the third. The Warriors could not take advantage of five errors by the Eagles.
