The Lady Jackets run through the KHSAA playoffs ended in a 6-2 loss to Oldham County in the 8th Region semifinals May 27 at the University of Louisville’s Ulmer Stadium.
The Lady Jackets fell short of their ultimate goal of a state title, but Coach Les Anderson was proud of his team’s effort and determination.
“This team has a lot of grit, and I think they showed that tonight,” said Anderson. “We never play an easy schedule, and I challenge them every season with tough competition from the first game of the year. We probably have two or three games where they can relax a little, but when adversity hits they usually rise to the occasion. That was the identity of the team from the beginning. We had injuries, and young players needed to get up to speed from the high school game and they did that and contributed. Our leaders never quit, and we were playing our best ball at the end of the season, and that is all I can ask for.”
Oldham scored the game’s first run in the top of the first after a single, stolen base, and a tag-up by the Lady Colonels on a sacrifice fly. Woodford was retired in order in the bottom of the first.
The Lady Colonels threatened in the top of the second with a pair of singles, but WCHS senior pitcher Sophia Gannon escaped the jam with a strikeout. Woodford was retired again in order in the bottom of the second, and Oldham County added two runs in the top of the third, putting pressure on the Woodford lineup.
Natalie Johnson singled for Woodford’s first hit of the game in the bottom of the third, followed by a single from Bri Coovert, and Addie Bryant was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A pair of pop-outs ended the inning.
Woodford began the bottom of the fourth with promise after a single from seventh-grader Norah Ashburn, but a pop-out and double play ended the inning as Woodford still trailed 3-1.
Oldham County added a pair of runs on two singles and a triple to take a 5-0 lead. Gannon dug deep, and recorded two strikeouts to get out of the inning.
A pair of walks in the bottom of the fifth led to an RBI single from Gannon, scoring Natalie Johnson and cutting the deficit to 5-1.
Oldham County added another run in the top of the sixth but Woodford made one more charge with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Coovert’s single was followed by an RBI double from Bryant. Gannon singled, but senior Lily Slayton flied out for the final out of the game.
The regional quarterfinal game was a pitcher’s dual, with the Lady Jackets winning 1-0 over Simon Kenton. Each team tallied five hits in the game, with the biggest coming from Ashburn on a line drive double to centerfield, scoring Gannon. Some terrific defensive plays were the key highlights for the Lady Jackets as third baseman Kaylee Boswell opened the game with a diving catch and Johnson caught a fly in left field for the final out of the game.
Woodford ended the season with an 18-12 record, was 8-3 in regional play and won the 30th District title.