Oran falls 4-2 in Class 1 District 1 semifinal

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Naylor's timely hitting and a lack of hitting by Oran summed up Monday night, as Oran fell 4-2 in a Class 1 District 1 softball semifinal.

"They're a district rival," Oran coach Sara Heisserer said. "They were so stoked to play us."

Second-seeded Naylor wasted no time jumping ahead.

With one out in the first inning, Ericka Engelman roped a double to center field. An out later, pitcher Chelsea Lane singled up the middle to drive in Engelman for a 1-0 lead.

Andrea Sullivan would reach on an error with two outs to put runners on the corners before a double steal brought Lane across the plate to put Naylor up 2-0.

"We have a tendency to not come out ready to go," Heisserer said. "We struggle once we fall behind to come back and win a game."

But Oran quickly struck back in the second inning with the help of some wildness from Lane.

Lauren Nenninger was hit by a pitch with one out then Baily Carlyle drew a walk. Claire Seyer struck out before Shelbie Seyer reached on an error to load the bases with two outs.

Taylor Irwin lined a double just over the second baseman's glove to drive in two runs to even the score at 2-2.

"They did come back," Heisserer said. "But a few errors hurt us."

Those errors came in the bottom half of the second. Two errors allowed Naylor to have runners on second and third with two outs, but Seyer, Oran's pitcher, struck out Engelman to end the threat.

Naylor would strike in the fourth.

With two outs, Sullivan hit a single to center field before Holly Deckard lined a triple to deep right field to put Naylor back on top 3-2.

"I think the girls expected it to be easier than what it was," Heisserer said.

Naylor tacked on another run in the fifth when Engelman scored after a leadoff single to make it 4-2.

Lane allowed two runs, no earned, on two hits, while striking out eight and sitting down Oran in order over the last four innings.

"She was throwing a high ball," Heisserer said. "We chased and chased and chased. We popped it up. She did a good job."

Heisserer thought her team might have looked a little to far ahead. Oran had won the past two district titles, knocking off Naylor twice in its runs to the district crown.

"I think it's like a culture shock," Heisserer said. "We won it two years in a row. I really think they had their eyes on the prize too long. They didn't come out and get the job done today."

Oran 020 000 0 -- 2 3 4

Naylor 201 010 x -- 4 7 1

WP -- Lane. LP -- C. Seyer. 3B -- Deckard (N). 2B -- Engelman (N). Multiple hits -- Naylor: Engelman 2-3, Sullivan 2-3.