By Kyle LoJacono
The Academy at the Lakes softball team’s playoff run ended May 1 at home, losing 3-1 in the Class 2A regional finals to Quincy Munroe.
The Wildcats (14-5) were able to get runners on against the Bobcats (15-6), recording 10 hits, but stranded 11 including six in scoring position. The academy loaded the bases twice, but failed to capitalize on either chance.
Munroe had only six hits but managed to score three times in the third without one. The first run came off a double steal and two more crossed home after errors were committed during a rundown created after a fielder’s choice.
“Errors killed us in this game,” said sophomore shortstop Lauren Evans. “We just could not get the bat on the ball when we needed it.”
Those three runs were all Bobcats pitcher Haleigh Corbally would need. The senior used 134 pitches to strike out 13 batters with one walk in her seven innings of work.
“There’re no cupcakes at the regionals,” said Wildcats coach Jerry English. “These are some of the eight best 2A teams in the state. You can’t have an off day, and we didn’t have an off day. They had a good day.”
Evans drove in the academy’s only run in the fifth inning. She finished 2-for-4, as did freshman first baseman Talia Pardo. Freshman center fielder and leadoff hitter Skyler Boynton had four hits and two doubles.
Skyler’s sister, junior Sydney Boynton, pitched seven innings of six-hit ball for the academy, posting eight strikeouts and two walks.
The Wildcats did get deeper in the postseason than any other team in program history while also winning their first district championship. The academy will likely have most of its players back as only one player, Amelia Oliver, is a senior.
“We had a good season,” Evans said. “We fought hard all year. We’re a young team and most of us will be back next year. I think we’ll use this to come back and get even farther next year.”
