Box Score LEXINGTON, Kentucky - The Mount St. Joseph softball team got their 2023 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) championships underway with a opening victory. In a game that featured outstanding pitching and limited offensive output on both side,
Casey Kemp and
Sara Kardos led the Lions to the 2-1 victory.
Kemp was absolutely dominant throughout the game, she allowed only 3 hits and 1 run (earned) while striking out four opposing batters. Kemp did not allow a single baserunner through the first four innings of play. She made only one real mistake in the game, allowing a solo homerun, which came in the fifth and put the Grizzlies up 1-0 in the game.
The Lions offense struggled as well, as the team managed only a pair of hits in the game. After Franklin jumped out to that 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth, the Lions answered back immediately.
Kaci Finchum drew a one-out walk to get the rally started, then
Emily McDonald reached after on a hit-by-pitch. That set the stage for the biggest at-bat of the game for MSJ. Coach Goderwis turned to Kardos, a senior to pinch-hit for
Ali Lang and Kardos rewarded that decision. She ripped a two-run double into deep left field to put the Lions ahead 2-1.
Kemp then finished Franklin off, although the did threaten in the sixth inning. They got a runner to third base with only one out, but a fantastic defensive play by Finchum and
Elizabeth Ivers thwarted the scoring chance. With the runner at third, Finchum went toward the line fielded a tough hop and got the ball quickly to Ivers to nail the runner at the plate.
With the win the Lions advance to the winner's bracket finals, where they will once again face off with the #1 seeded Pioneers of Transylvania. That game is scheduled to be the final game of the day tomorrow, and first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 PM.
