Softball Season Comes to an End in HCAC Championship

LEXINGTON, Kentucky - The Mount St. Joseph softball team once again had a fantastic season, that culminated in a run to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship game. The Lions have found themselves in this spot four of the past five (non-covid) seasons, and once again they faced off with the Transylvania Pioneers in the title game. The past two season's they were able to finish the job and win the HCAC Championship on the Pioneers home field. This year, despite a valiant effort the Lions came up just a bit short in the end.

After falling to Transy last night the Lions would have to win this one the hard way. They had to take down the third seed the Franklin Grizzlies in the opening game of the day to earn the chance at a rematch with Transy. 

They dispatched the Grizzlies, 3-1 behind a dominant pitching performance by Casey Kemp. The junior went the distance for the third time in the tournament allowing only a single run (unearned), and a trio of hits while striking out three. Kemp also provided much of the offense, with a pair of hits and an RBI. Courtney Keller was perfect at the plate going 2-for-2 with an RBI double and a walk in the win.

The win over Franklin put the Lions back into the HCAC Championship round, this season coming out of the loser's bracket meant the Lions would have to beat Transy once on Saturday to set up a winner-take-all game Sunday.

Early in the game it was once again Kemp leading the way from the circle. The junior through five innings in this game had thrown every pitch for the Mount in the tournament. She was once again outstanding through the early portions of this one. 

The Lions took the lead in the second inning, Maddie Kennedy laced a two-out triple to right field, and was driven in on an RBI single by Elizabeth Ivers. They added a second run an inning later, an Ali Lang walk and back-to-back singles by Kelsi Stevenson and Macy Cornelius loaded the bases with one out. Keller then laced an RBI single up the middle, which forced the Transy starting pitcher from the game. 

Starting in the bottom of the fourth it was all Transy the rest of the way. They scored one in the fourth and then two in the fifth to take the 3-2 lead. The Lions threatened in the fifth but were unable to push across a run. The Pioneers then exploded for 7-runs in the bottom of the sixth to secure the win.

Representing the Lions on the the all-tournament team were Casey Kemp, Courtney Keller and Maddie Kennedy,

The Lions under coach Goderwis once again put together a fantastic season, winning 30 or more games for the fourth season in a row (non-covid). And will once again bring back the majority of their roster next season. The future remains extremely bright for the MSJ Softball Program!