West Marshall stuns PCM softball in regional quarters

MONROE — The third time was the charm for West Marshall.

The PCM softball team allowed just one run in its two meetings against the Trojans during the regular season, but West Marshall flipped the script during the postseason meeting on Thursday.

The Mustangs led the Class 3A Region 2 quarterfinal game after six innings, but the Trojans scored four in the seventh and knocked off its hosts 8-6.

“It was a tough loss tonight,” PCM head softball coach Shaun Hudnut said. “It definitely was not the outcome we were looking for, but we are proud of how this group of girls continued to fight and battle through adversity throughout the season.”

West Marshall (14-16) led 1-0 after one inning and went in front 3-1 after scoring two in the third.

PCM grabbed its first lead with four runs in the fifth, but the Trojans got within one with a single run in the sixth and then scored four in the seventh to go in front for good.

The Mustangs (16-11) added one in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough. West Marshall out-hit PCM 12-9, and the Mustangs were plagued by two errors.

“We left seven runners on base and struggled to get our offense going before two outs,” Hudnut said. “In the three innings we were able to get on before two outs, we scored all six of our runs.”

Sidney Shaver led the Mustangs with two doubles, one run and one RBI. She finished the season with seven doubles.

Tori Lindsay doubled, scored two runs, had one RBI and walked once and she was hit by one pitch.

The Mustang freshman tied for first on the squad this summer with 24 runs and was hit by a team-most eight pitches.

The other six hits came from Lillian Humpal, Addison Steenhoek, Paige Steenhoek, Riley Johannes, Joslin Briles and RaeAnn Duinink.

Paige Steenhoek added two RBIs, Addison Steenhoek scored one run and Johannes and Duinink each collected one RBI. Paige Steenhoek finished her final season with a team-best 25 RBIs.

Ella Schendel walked twice and scored one run, Jorja Teeter stole two bases and Addi Hudnut scored one run.

Rylee Parsons (16-10) pitched all seven innings in the circle and took the loss for the Mustangs. She surrendered eight runs — six earned — on 12 hits and three walks. She struck out four.

“Rylee gutted it out for us tonight even though she wasn’t 100 percent, and we put ourselves in a position to win this game,” Coach Hudnut said.

Ciera Randall and Rachel Randall each finished with three hits and two RBIs to lead West Marshall. Ciera Randall led the Trojans with a .413 batting average.

PCM defeated West Marshall 2-0 and 4-1 during the regular season. The Mustangs ended their season with three straight losses after posting five consecutive wins.

West Marshall lost 7-0 to No. 12 Albia in the regional semifinals on Saturday. The Trojans fell behind 5-0 after two innings.

The Blue Demons and 3A No. 9 Chariton face off in the regional championship game at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Chariton.