C1SB Semifinal: Big inning by Concordia does in 'battling' Holcomb squad

SPRINGFIELD – For the vast majority of its MSHSAA Class 1 Softball State Semifinal game with Concordia on Monday, the Holcomb High School squad did what it needed to do to advance to Tuesday’s state championship tilt.

The Hornets were tied with the Orioles at one run apiece entering the fifth inning, but freshman pitcher Khloe Furlow, who had been very effective up until that point, began to tire, and Concordia took advantage quickly.

The Orioles (29-2) opened the pivotal inning with five consecutive hits, four of which were doubles, and three straight walks, and turned a tight game into a 6-1 margin, and eventually held on for a 7-1 victory.

“I thought (Furlow) did a good job pitching,” veteran Hornet coach Matt Casper said following the loss, “up until that one inning when we had a little trouble. That big inning was the difference.”

The Hornets looked strong early, as Furlow limited Concordia to four walks and three singles through four innings.

Holcomb led 1-0 after the initial inning because the Orioles made the mistake of throwing Holcomb senior star Maleigh Lemings something her bat could reach, and the ball landed over the left field fence.

“Defensively,” Casper said, “I thought we made some really good plays early.”

That was highlighted by a spectacular turning and leaping catch of a Texas-Leaguer by Lemings at shortstop.

Offensively, Holcomb senior Katelyn Danley paced her team with a pair of hits while Lemings (one hit, one run, one RBI, one walk), junior Chloe Hendrix (one walk), sophomore Ella Lemings (one hit, one stolen base), freshman Addison Elliott (two walks, one stolen base) also contributed.

Senior Jaden Bowen closed the game on the mound with 2 2/3 innings of work and allowed just one earned run on four hits, two walks, and a pair of strikeouts.

“Our girls battled,” Casper said.

The trip to the Final Four was the third in four seasons for the Hornets under Casper.

Holcomb finished third in 2022 and second in 2021.

Holcomb will play Bernie (22-10-1) in the third-place game today at 5:30 p.m.

The Mules fell in the other Class 1 semifinal to Ash Grove 17-4.