As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR...

The Central A&M softball team lost its Class 1A regional semifinal 5-2 against Altamont on Wednesday night.  Altamont served as the administrative away team due to having the worse seed of the two teams, despite playing on their home turf. 

The Raiders' one run in the first made up the only scoring across the first three innings as both teams largely struggled to take advantage of key scoring opportunities.  Altamont drew level in the fourth when a throwing error with two outs allowed Avery Fleehardy to score from third.  They went in front in the fifth when Sophia Long's sacrifice allowed Cecilia "Spike" Pearcy to cross the plate. 

Altamont's defensive displays frustrated the Raiders.  The bottom of the third inning saw three flyouts, each with either quick reactions or high skill from the respective fielders.  In the fifth inning, with a runner at third and one out, Pearcy caught a quick line drive on the full and beat Riley Hazelwonder to the bag to complete an unassisted double play. 

The sixth inning is when the game decisively swung in the regional hosts' favor.  Four of their first five hitters reached base, scoring two runs, and Riley Hazelwonder's start on the circle reached its conclusion.  Callie Robertson conceded two runners and another run - for which Hazelwonder was responsible - but struck out Kennedi Schultz to end the inning.  She then pitched a perfect seventh.

A&M put up one run in the sixth and set themselves up well to score further in that inning and the following one but could not convert.  In the case of the final inning, senior Kylee Snearly came to the plate with runners on first and second and two outs, but struck out. 

Despite taking the loss, Riley Hazelwonder was named the Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game.  She struck out nine batters in her outing, adding to her impressive performance throughout the season in that category.  Hazelwonder also hit a double, scored a run, and stole two bases. 

For Altamont, Sophia Long pitched the complete game, giving up two earned runs and six walks, to go with seven strikeouts.  Pearcy excelled at the plate, going 2-3 including a triple and two runs, on top of the aforementioned defensive play. 

Altamont returns to the field on Thursday to face Casey-Westfield in the regional final.  As for Central A&M, their season is over.  Snearly is the only departing senior, but with only nine other players, head coach Wayne Jordan will look to heavily revamp the squad in the offseason in hopes of future success.