The North Central Missouri College Lady Pirate offense was held to just four hits in a 7-5 loss to Maple Woods on Friday morning, in the opening round of the double-elimination Region 16 softball tournament in Joplin.
For the victorious Monarchs, Hillary Protzman had the game-winning RBI’s in the top of the sixth inning, while Karen Jaggars got the win in relief, and Hannah Hirschvogel had a home run. The win sends Maple Woods into a winners bracket semifinal with top-seeded Three Rivers this (Friday) afternoon at 3:45. Three Rivers had a first-round bye.
The loss by North Central will put the Lady Pirates in a “do-or-die” elimination game on Saturday morning at 11:15, against a team to be determined. As of 1:30 on Friday afternoon, the #3 seeded Crowder Lady ‘Riders beat State Fair in a first-round game, 9-1, with Jefferson and St. Charles ready to start at 1:30. Potential opponents for NCMC in Saturday morning’s loser’s bracket semifinal are Crowder, Jefferson College, or St. Charles. Â
In order to rally into the championship round, North Central will need to win at 11:15 on Saturday morning, 6 o’clock on Saturday night, and 8:15 on Saturday night. In that scenario, NCMC would play the winner’s bracket champion, needing to win twice (Sunday at 12 noon and 2 o’clock) in order to win the NJCAA, Division 1, Region 16 softball title.
On Thursday night, NCMC had four players receive All-Region 16 honors. Kendra Holt and Makayla Lamphier were named second-team All-Region selections for the Lady Pirates, with Alex Miller and Kaitlyn Marsh named to the first-team.
