Winfield-Mt. Union led from the beginning in Monday night’s first round regional softball game at IMS, but they had to weather a late storm to secure a 4-3 playoff win. The Wolves jumped out early with three runs in the first inning to build their lead. Kara Wade was hit by a pitch with one out and Sam and Caitlyn Jamison were walked back to back to load the bases. Taylor Rodgers, Karlie Wade and Ashley Kruse all delivered RBI in the frame. After the game WMU Head Coach Terry Reynolds talked about the importance of the early runs.
“That was a big, positive confidence booster for us. We struggled all year just trying to get runners in place to even score,” Reynolds said. “Young team, a lot of potential, but just a lot of raw talent out there right now, and it was a big boost for us to get up.”
With the early lead the Wolves Kayla Coberly went to work, not allowing a hit until the third inning. IMS broke through to make it 3-1 in the fourth inning when Jacayla Litwiller scored on a fielding error. IMS would put the tying runs on base that inning but would get no more. The Lady Wolves scored a big insurance run in the seventh when Caitlyn Jamison walked and came in on an error. IMS turned a double play to get out of the frame with the score at 4-1. The IMS rally started with a Litwiller walked and she was driven in on a base hit by Rachel Miller to make it 4-2. Coberly would load the bases with one out and commit a balk that made the score 4-3 and had the tying and winning runs on base with two outs but she induced a ground out from top IMS hitter Stasia Majerick for the win.
Coberly got the win going all seven innings, giving up four hits, three runs, walking four and striking out one. Miller took the loss going all seven, allowing four hits, four runs, five walks, striking out seven and hitting seven batters. At the plate the Wolves were led by Karlie Wade’s two hits and an RBI. Rachel Miller had two hits and an RBI for IMS. With the loss IMS ends their season at 2-19. WMU improves to 2-20 and will face Lone Tree in the Regional Quarterfinals Wednesday night in Lone Tree.