Lady Tiger softball team suffers unfortunate ending to season

The Cowley College softball team, seeded second in the Region VI Division II Softball Tournament held at Topeka's Hummer Sports Complex, had hopes of qualifying for the NJCAA Division II Softball National Tournament for the first time since 2018. However, seventh-seeded Labette Community College shocked the Lady Tigers 15-6 in Saturday's opener before third-seeded Neosho County held on to end Cowley's season with a 7-5 victory over the Lady Tigers.

Cowley was out-hit 24-14 in the two games.

"Offensively we didn't challenge or pressure Labette or Neosho's defense like we needed to," Cowley head coach Jenny Hoyt said.

Cowley got off to a fast start in its opening game against Labette as they led 5-0 after two innings of play. However, the Cardinals would score three runs in the third inning and regained the lead with a six-run fourth inning that chased Lady Tigers starting pitcher Ashlynn Mercer from the game.

Labette continued the onslaught by scoring seven runs off Tiger relievers Sydney Price and Kennedy Toothman as they went on to the 15-6.

Tatyana Curry had two of Cowley's six hits in the defeat.

Cowley would fall to the losers' bracket where they faced third-seeded Neosho County later on Saturday.

The Panthers looked as if they would cruise to the win as they led 7-1 heading into Cowley's final at bat. The Lady Tigers rallied by scoring four runs to pull within 7-5, and had the bases loaded with two outs and sophomore Cierah Jones at the plate. Jones, who homered earlier in the game, would ground into a force out to end the game.

"We had a good fight at the end of the Neosho game and that was the best we swung the bat on the day, just one of those things where we waited too long to get going and it didn't go in our favor," Hoyt said.

Mercer had a rare off day as she was tagged with seven runs in five innings. Mercer finished a stellar season with a record of 22-7.

"Ashlynn had a great year for us and I am super proud of her and the leadership she had on the mound for us this year," Hoyt said.

Maci Cole tripled and had two hits in the loss, while Aaliyah Ahmed went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in.

The Lady Tigers finish the season with a record of 38-14. Cowley will say goodbye to sophomores Cierah Jones, Ashlynn Mercer, Alivia Lange, Tatyana Curry, Maggie Musson, and Shelby Winfield.

"I wish we could have ended on a happier note, however they all have bright futures and glad they were a part of our program," Hoyt said.

The team has several promising players to build around including Maci Cole and Sydney Price.

"The freshmen returning now have experienced a full year of what the Jayhawk Conference is like and how it's very competitive," Hoyt said. "I feel that this group returning will be great leaders and challenge our incoming players. We need these returners to be the gritty tone setters for next year."

Game one                     R H E

Labette 0 0 3 6 0 3 4 – 15 16 0

Cowley 2 3 0 0 0 1 0 – 6 5 1

Game two                    R H E

Cowley 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 – 5 9 4

Neosho 0 0 4 2 0 1 x – 7 8 0