Risco upsets Holcomb for program’s first district title

HOLCOMB — The second-seeded Risco Tigers softball team upset the first-seeded Holcomb Hornets in the Class 1 District 1 finals to claim the team’s first-ever district championship title Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

After playing in three consecutive district championships and falling to Holcomb on three different occasions this season, Risco will finally have the chance to advance deeper into the state tournament.

“We were ready from the jump,” Risco coach Justin Earnheart said. “Everybody was within themselves. We looked like we belong here, we played like we belong here and we had to show we were the better team.”

“Holcomb has phenomenal players and coaching, and they do things right,” he continued. “Their records and their state titles are proof of that. But we knew that if we could do what we needed to do, then we could get it done.”

The Tigers scored first in the matchup, adding two runs in the first inning as Ashlynn Presley singled home Aubrey White. Presley then capitalized on a dropped third pitch and made it home herself.

Risco's Emma Elmore is met by teammates after hitting her first career home run in Tuesday's district championship against Holcomb.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

After two scoreless innings, Risco junior Emma Elmore connected for a hard fly ball that sailed over the fence for a solo home run, the first of her career.

“Emma’s a spark plug for us in center field,” Earnheart said. “She ran into one there, and it ended up being the difference in the game. That was as good as it gets for us.”

In spite of the momentum boost, Holcomb leveled the game in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Jules Gurley hit a fly ball but made it to first on an error which brought home Maleigh Lemings.

To follow, Libbey Callis hammered a double to score Zilliah Privett and Jasmine White doubled home Callis.

Holcomb's Maleigh Lemings rounds second base and heads to third in Tuesday's district championship game against Risco.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Tied 3-3, Risco added the last run necessary for their win in the Tigers’ next at-bat in the top of the fifth. Elmore wasn’t done after her home run, and with a ground ball she brought in Lydia Albritton.

In the midst of a yet another defensive showdown, which had been the case in several district tournament games leading up to the championship, Risco’s Carlie Stephens pitched a complete seven innings to hold off Holcomb’s explosive offense.

After facing an even 30 batters and throwing 78 pitches, Stephens allowed six hits, two walks and three runs – zero earned runs – and struck out six batters.

“Stephens on the mound was lights out,” Earnheart said. “None of those runs were earned, so she went seven innings with no earned runs against a team who has a great lineup who puts up 20-plus runs a game.”

Risco's Carlie Stephens throws a pitch in the Tigers' district championship game against Holcomb Tuesday, May 9, 2023.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Freshman Ayla Lawrence took the circle first for Holcomb. She lasted four innings and allowed three hits, three earned runs and struck out three batters. Lawrence was relieved by Ava Gurley for the final three innings who allowed a single hit and no runs while striking out two.

Holcomb secured more hits than Risco by the end of the game, connecting on six to the Tigers’ four. For the Hornets, Maleigh Lemings managed two while Ava Gurley, Kaetlyn Danley, Libbey Callis and Jasmine White contributed another.

This spring will be the first in three years in which Holcomb has not won their district championship game. They have competed in the finals in each of the last five, and won both second and third place in the state tournament in that time frame.

“When you put as much effort and time in as both of these teams do, you don’t want to see anybody lose," Holcomb coach Matt Casper said. "I know what we set out to accomplish this year, but we came up short. We won three out of four, but we didn’t win the one that matters most here at the end. Hats off to Risco for keeping us at bay, and I wish them the best of luck.”

Risco now advances to play Valle Catholic High School, the winner of the Class 1 District 2 tournament who defeated Advance 6-3. The game will be hosted by Risco next Tuesday.

“That’s who we are,” Earnheart said. “That’s who we have to continue to be. Valle and Advance are both tough, and they’re really good. We get a quarterfinal game hosted at Risco, talk about uncharted waters, but we’re excited and we’re ready.”