Central softball team trails Farmington 5-1 in district semifinal halted by rain

IMPERIAL, Mo. -- The matchup between sixth-seeded Central and second-seeded Farmington in the Class 4 District 1 softball semifinals is on hold with the Knightettes in the lead.

The game was started at Seckman High School on Thursday but was suspended after one inning due to rain.

The game will resume at the top of the second inning at a time and place still to be determined with the Knightettes winning 5-1.

The winner will face top-seeded Seckman, which defeated Hillsboro 10-6 after a lengthy rain delay earlier Thursday, in the district championship.

The Tigers and Knightettes were scheduled to play at 2 p.m. after the game got moved from host Jackson to Seckman, but the game started closer to 4 p.m., and it rained steadily throughout.

Central had the bases loaded with one out in the top of the first after two walks and a hit batsman. Second baseman Amanda Webb grounded to short and left fielder Sydney Tollison scored on the play. Two Tigers were stranded in the inning.

"The weather conditions here have not been good," Central coach Amy Blattel said. "They weren't good for either pitcher. The umpire realized that about halfway through the first inning."

Central pitcher Maggie Groshong walked three of the first four batters she faced, including intentionally walking Farmington pitcher Kaila Nash, to load the bases before giving up a grand slam to Brittany Link.

The next three batters singled to drive in another run and make it 5-1. A strikeout eventually ended the inning and play was stopped.

"Our kids are resilient," Blattel said. "Actually, I think what's going to happen is they're going to go away from this [game], they're going to think about it, and then they're going to come back ready to play. I don't think it's a big deal for our group."

The district tournament has to be completed by Wednesday when state sectional games start. The game had not been rescheduled by press time Thursday, but Jackson athletic director John Martin said that the game would not be played today due to more inclement weather.