Jackson softball falls short in state quarterfinal, dropping tight pitcher’s duel

Fighting for the first state semifinal appearance in school history, Jackson softball fell shy of the win, losing 3-1 at home after a back-and-forth pitcher’s duel went the way of visiting Francis Howell.

Sophomore pitcher Ashlyn Dawes threw the full game for Jackson once again, holding the Vikings without an earned run but not without having three runners come around.

Saying that Howell pitcher Lorin Boutte made things tough for the Indians would be quite an understatement. Of 21 recorded outs, the Miami University commit struck out 12 Indian batters en route to a three-hit, two-walk game without earning a run.

With both pitchers showing off on the big stage, Howell made more plays in the batter’s box and took the chips on the road despite a battle from Jackson. Jackson head coach Shawn Wilding didn’t mince words when it came down to how the loss sat with the team.

“We just lost a chance to go to state,” Wilding said. “We feel pretty bad because we were a step behind today. We beat ourselves. I told them that the only team that was gonna beat us was ourselves, and it showed today. It was just the little things.”

Francis Howell's Julia Joerling leaps in celebration after scoring the first run during an October 21, 2023 Class 5 quarterfinal game between the Jackson Indians and the Francis Howell Vikings at Jackson City Park in Jackson, Mo. Francis Howell defeated Jackson, 3-1.Cole Lee ~ clee@semoball.com

Howell brought two runners home in the bottom of the second, with Boutte coming around after hitting a double, with two reaching base right behind her on Jackson errors.

Jackson responded in the top of the fourth inning when Kameryn Tucker drew a leadoff walk. Freshman Danica Dewrock replaced the senior on the basepath, making a break for second base and eventually coming all the way around after a pair of Howell throwing errors.

The Vikings added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth with a Jackson passed ball, allowing Elisabeth Grethey to come home in a bases-loaded situation to up the lead to 3-1.

In total, Jackson stranded seven runners on base in the loss. In a game that drove many to think of what could’ve been, the runners left on remained the Indians’ biggest focal point.

“You just wish you could have those back, but you don't get those back,” Wilding said. “You have to make that adjustment in that moment, and they didn't. We battled, and [Boutte’s] a tough pitcher. If we make those adjustments, we're fine. It's a hard game.”

Jackson's Danica Dewrock sprints to third base during an October 21, 2023 Class 5 quarterfinal game between the Jackson Indians and the Francis Howell Vikings at Jackson City Park in Jackson, Mo. Francis Howell defeated Jackson, 3-1.Cole Lee ~ clee@semoball.com

The winningest season in program history comes to a close, dropping a tight quarterfinal contest at home in what was the Indians’ first appearance at the stage since 1998.

A highly talented senior class exits for the Indians, with Zoe Flath, Ella Mangels, Rileigh Parker, Kameryn Tucker and Kaiden Weisbrod all exiting after breakout senior years with the program.

While there are going to be challenges any time there’s a large amount of turnover within a program, Wilding speaks highly of the future of his team and knows that the groundwork for a district title repeat team has been laid.

“We feel really good, Wilding said. “The girls have just gotta step up. We’ve got a lot of good stuff coming up. But it’s got to gel and it’s got to gel fast.

“We're gonna get some games on and see what happens. The girls are gonna play summer ball and they're gonna come back hungry. The bar is set, you know?”