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Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A title




Siegel's Hope Keeton slides into second baseball during the Lady Stars' game against Rockvale in the District 7-4A tournament against Rockvale Thursday. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel’s Hope Keeton slides into second baseball during the Lady Stars’ game against Rockvale in the District 7-4A tournament against Rockvale Thursday. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

There was carnage on the Rockvale softball field Thursday night in the District 7 tournament championship where, after forcing the “if necessary” game with a 9-1 rout of the Rockets, the Siegel Stars outdid themselves with a run-rule shortened 10-0 victory for the title.

“We were never down (in the loser’s bracket),” Siegel senior Reagan Duran said. “We knew we had to get two big wins tonight, and we knew we had to pull through. We wanted to let everyone know who we are. We don’t take ‘L’s’ like that.”

In the Stars’ four games since an early-round upset landed them in the losers’ bracket they have outscored opponents 34-2.

“Sometimes a hiccup is good,” Siegel coach Shawn Middleton said (in reference to the loss). “Because hiccups go away, and when they do performance is on. And when the energy starts to go up it is contagious. Hitting is contagious. It’s like popcorn, when one pops they all start popping.”

Siegel pitcher and tournament MVP Mary Bradley threw 11 total innings Thursday and yielded just three hits and one walk, facing just three batters over the minimum. In the previous two days she pitched a shutout and a two-hitter, respectively.

Siegel's Lexi Medlock slides into second against Rockvale. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel’s Lexi Medlock slides into second against Rockvale. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

“Mary Bradley on that mound dominated,” Middleton said. “When your team can relax because they know she has got them, and the defense has got them, that’s when it all comes together.

The Stars began the double-header by batting around in the first inning of game one, plating four runs and knocking Rockvale off balance for what proved to be the rest of the evening.

“Tonight is not who we are as Rockvale softball,” Rockvale coach Falon Catalano said. “We didn’t show up. I think we let the pressure and the crowd get to us a little bit. Siegel is a tough team, and once you give them an inch they are going to take a mile. But as frustrating as these game were we have to be proud of what we have accomplished and that we live to fight another day.”

Siegel's Regan Duran rounds third and heads for home against Rockvale. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel’s Regan Duran rounds third and heads for home against Rockvale. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Leading the way for Siegel befittingly was senior lead-off hitter Reagan Duran, who started things off with a triple and scored the first of the Star’s 19 runs. Duran had home runs in each game and four runs scored on the day. The senior also got her 200th career hit.

“I like to start it off because it gets the energy going,” Duran said. “I just try to do my best putting the team first and getting hits.”

Siegel’s five, six and seven hitters, Maddie McIntyre, Hope Keaton and Bella Harbour combined to go 15-for-20 with nine RBIs and 11 runs. McIntyre blasted a homer to start the second game’s scoring.

Emilee Hawks also had a homerun for the Stars.

The Rockets lone run for the day was a solo shot by Mary Beth Bryan off of Harbour in relief duty for the Stars.

Siegel will host a regional game Monday, while Rockvale will play a road game.

Siegel third baseman Rilie throws the ball to second against Rockvale. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel third baseman Rilie throws the ball to second against Rockvale. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel's Lexi Medlock rounds third and heads for home against Rockvale. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel’s Lexi Medlock rounds third and heads for home against Rockvale. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Rockvale's Taylor Rudolph takes a cut against Siegel. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Rockvale’s Taylor Rudolph takes a cut against Siegel. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A titleKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A titleKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A titleKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A titleKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A titleKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A titleKaitlyn Hungerford

Rockvale's Mary Beth Bryan rounds first base after hitting a home run against Siegel. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Rockvale’s Mary Beth Bryan rounds first base after hitting a home run against Siegel. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Rockvale's Lilly Pendergrast looks to take third base. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Rockvale’s Lilly Pendergrast looks to take third base. KAITLYN HUNGERFORDKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A titleKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A titleKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A titleKaitlyn Hungerford

Siegel softball battles back to win 7-4A titleKaitlyn Hungerford

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