DRAGONS UPSET BY SAINTS FOR FIRST REGION VI LOSS

Blue Dragon Softball had its 13-game winning streak snapped after a 4-2 loss to Seward County in the Region VI Tournament winner's bracket semifinals on Saturday in Dodge City. (Andrew Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)

May 7, 2022

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

DODGE CITY – For the second time this season, the Hutchinson Community College softball team's winning streak ended at 13 games.

Seward County's Ireland Caro shut out the No. 15-ranked Blue Dragons for six innings as sixth-seeded Seward County upset the second-seeded Blue Dragons 4-2 in the Region VI Tournament's winner's bracket semifinal on Saturday at Legends Park.

The Blue Dragons fell to 39-7 and dropped to the loser's bracket. Seward County (25-25) earned its first win in five games over the Blue Dragons and advanced to the Region VI winner's bracket final.

The Saints pulled off their second-straight tournament upset – Seward defeated No. 3 seed Colby 4-3 in Friday's opening round – with strong pitching from Caro. The Blue Dragons had only four hits through six innings and only one runner reached second base over that span.

Overall, Caro allowed eight hits and two earned runs with no walks or strikeouts.

The Saints broke through against Blue Dragon starting pitcher Emily Munson in the fifth without giving up her first hit. Gabrielle Sanchez drew a leadoff walk and then a throwing error on Ashley Low's sacrifice bunt attempt put runners at second and third with no out. Sanchez then scored on Vivian Gabehart's groundout to short.

Munson didn't allow a hut over 5 1-3 innings. Just the unearned run with only one walk and one strikeout. Munson (10-1) suffered her first loss of the season.

Seward County scored three times of Riley Wertz and built a 4-0 lead entering the bottom of the seventh.

The Dragons finally mounted a true threat against Caro in the final at-bat. Four consecutive singles by Madison Grimes, Natalie Bevan, Carley Sterneker and Wertz plated the first run for Hutchinson. Bevan scored on a double play ball by Allie Stipsits to cut the lead to 4-2 and the rally ended there and Aspen Goetz grounded out to close the game and end Hutchinson's winning streak.

Hutchinson out-hit Seward County 4-2. Grimes was 2 for 3 to lead the Dragons.