By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Silver Lake stormed through the first two rounds of the Class 3A state softball tournament, but the Eagles ran into powerhouse Frontenac in the championship game Friday.
A dejected Silver Lake softball team lines up to congratulate Frontenac after the Raiders' 3-0 win in the Class 3A championship game. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Silver Lake softball coach Nick Hamilton talks to Eagles pitcher Kendra Cook during Friday's 3-0 loss to Frontenac in the Class 3A title game. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The bats that produced 22 runs in the first two games went silent in the finale as the Eagles fell to Frontenac 3-0, silenced by the Raiders’ defense behind star pitcher Avery Johnson.
In their semifinal game, the Eagles blasted top-seeded Holcomb 12-2.
Silver Lake capitalized on three Longhorn errors to plate three runs in the second inning. Senior Makenzie McDaniel blasted her second home run of the tournament in the fifth inning. The Eagles continued to add on. They scored in every inning of the game except the first.
Silver Lake junior pitcher Kendra Cook turned in a dominating performance in the Eagles' 12-2 semifinal win. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Pitcher Kendra Cook cruised through the first six innings against Holcomb, striking out seven and surrendering just one run.
But in the championship game, Silver Lake managed just six singles and no walks against Johnson, who benefitted from brilliant defensive plays behind her.
“They made the plays,” said Silver Lake coach Nick Hamilton. “Their shortstop (senior Annie Lee) made a lot of good plays. We just had trouble finding the gaps. We got a little antsy there trying to make some plays. That’s just part of the game. But I won’t ever fault anyone for trying hard.”
Frontenac claimed its fourth state title, finishing the season 28-2, losing only to rival Columbus and a team from Bentonville, Ark.
“They play in a good league down there and they play in a good regionals,” Hamilton said of Frontenac. “That’s what happens. When you play the best, you’re going to get better. They definitely brought it today.”
Frontenac coach Cassie Rhuems was well aware of the Eagles’ offensive potential going into the title game.
“I just knew we had to keep the big bats away from the fence,” said Rhuems, coach of all four Frontenac championships. “They’ve got a great five-hole hitter (McDaniel), and I knew we had to keep the ball in the park with her.”
The loss put a damper on a remarkable school year for Silver Lake. The Eagles placed third in 3A state volleyball, then brought home the 3A girls basketball trophy.
“They have that competitive edge, and that’s why they are where they’re at,” Hamilton said. “I truly say that there have been a lot of kids to wear the maroon and gold and (who won championships), but I’m not sure there has been any group like this one.”
The Eagles finished the season 24-3, their losses prior to Friday coming against 6A tournament team Lawrence Free State and 4A champion Wamego.
The softball team bids farewell to five seniors – McDaniel, Raely Sterling, Kaibryn Kruger, McKinley Kruger and Avery Wende – who have left quite a mark.
“I’ve known them since they were little kids, growing up in our programs,” Hamilton said. “All five of them are going to play a sport in college. I expect them to do great things. I told them that maybe this is part of the process. Maybe this wasn’t meant to be because they’re not done yet."
FINAL
FRONTENAC 3, SILVER LAKE 0
Silver Lake (24-3) 000 000 0 — 0 6 0
Frontenac (28-2) 010 200 x — 3 6 0
Cook and Swygert. Johnson and Call. W — Johnson. L — Cook. 2B — Frontenac: Lee. 3B — Frontenac: Sullivan. HR — Frontenac: Bearman.
SEMIFINAL
SILVER LAKE 12, HOLCOMB 2
Silver Lake (24-2) 031 024 2 — 12 11 2
Holcomb (26-1) 000 001 1 — 2 5 5
Cook, Wende (7) and Swygert. Johnson and Rodriguez. W — Cook. L — Johnson. 2B — Silver Lake: Zordel, K. Kruger. HR — Silver Lake: McDaniel.
