Scott City softball team defeats Leopold for second straight district title

District championships are earned through a process, and the Scott City softball team is a prime example of that.

Sitting in the shadows of a dugout following Wednesday's Class 1 District 4 championship, Rams coach Lance Amick didn't hesitate to explain the process and how it propelled his team to its second consecutive district crown.

Led by a stellar performance in the circle and 14 hits at the plate, top-seeded Scott City took care of third-seeded Leopold 11-1 in six innings at Scott City High School.

"We've got a lot of girls who work really hard at their craft," Amick said. "This is what happens when you put a lot of hard work in. Good things happen for people who work like that. It makes me feel good to see them get rewarded."

Scott City junior Valerie Bahr, who led off and finished 4 for 5 with three RBIs, was on last year's team, which made history in winning the program's first district title on the way to a final four appearance. Bahr said the feeling never gets old.

Scott City's Lexi Hennecke hits for a single in the fourth inning against Leopold during the Class 1 District 4 championship Wednesday, May 6, 2015 in Scott City. (Glenn Landberg)

"It's always fun every single year with the new people that come in, and we win as a family," Bahr said. "It always feels good."

Junior catcher Bella Bowers got things started for Scott City (17-6) in the bottom of the first inning when she scored Bahr, who led off with a triple to left field, on a sacrifice fly.

Bowers finished 2 for 3 with two doubles and four RBIs, but Amick was quick to praise Bowers' defensive play, which included an impressive pick off that retired the side in the top of the second.

"I've got to kind of brag on Bella Bowers, a girl who played shortstop last year and had never caught in her life," Amick said. "In October, she accepted the challenge to catch. I can't tell you how many 5:30 mornings five days a week we spent working, trying to turn her into a catcher. You look out there today, and you see a girl that you'd never know hadn't ever caught in her life."

Four two-out hits broke the game open for the Rams in the second. Bahr scored Lexi Hennecke, who walked, on an infield single before Bowers followed with a two-run blast to right-center field, scoring Skylar Rhymer and Bahr. After Jamie Glastetter was hit by a pitch and replaced by courtesy runner Paige McNeely, Michaela Kiefer and Liz Hensley each laced RBI singles up the middle, and Scott City carried a comfortable 6-0 lead into the third frame.

The Rams plated 10 of their 11 runs with two outs, and Amick said the team's offensive concentration begins with a disciplined mindset.

"We don't talk about winning and losing ever. We talk about competing -- competing in your at-bats and learning from every pitch," Amick said. "... Praise or negativity, neither one of them can last very long. You've got to kind of move in this game."

Scott City's Jamie Glastetter pitches to a Leopold batter in the second inning during the Class 1 District 4 championship Wednesday, May 6, 2015 in Scott City. (Glenn Landberg)

Wildcats starting pitcher Lexi Vandeven gave up a leadoff double to Hennecke to begin the bottom of the third but struck out the next two batters before Bahr sent Hennecke home on a two-out single and Bowers and Glastetter loaded the bases on a walk and a hit batter, respectively. Kiefer hit a two-run single to center field, and Scott City led 9-0 at the end of the inning.

Meanwhile, Glastetter held Leopold (16-2), which recorded 13 hits a day earlier in a 15-1 rout of Advance, to only one hit in six innings of work.

The sophomore hurler tallied 11 strikeouts, walked five batters and allowed one unearned run.

"She moved the ball around today well, spotted her changeup early and struggled with her changeup a little bit late, but she's a sophomore. And this is a big stage for a sophomore," Amick said about Glastetter, who started only one game a year ago. "... I can't tell you the amount of work that she's put in from last year to this year."

The Wildcats stranded the game-ending run on third base in the bottom of the fifth and responded by plating their only run of the game in the top of the sixth when Ashlyn Bucher, who reached on a walk, scored on a passed ball.

Leopold coach Keenan Kinder was pleased with the way his team continued to fight.

"They got momentum on their side, and it's a little hard to get the swing back sometimes," Kinder said. "They fought all the way to the end. I'm proud of them for that for sure. ... That's the way they've been all year. They've played hard all season long. You're going to win and lose games. That's part of it. The sad part is when it comes to an end."

Leopold's Klara Beel looks to make a play at first base in the third inning against Scott City during the Class 1 District 4 championship Wednesday, May 6, 2015 in Scott City. (Glenn Landberg)

The Rams ended the game in the bottom of the sixth. Rhymer hit a two-out single to left field, and Bahr scored Rhymer on a double that bounced off the left-field fence. Bowers plated Bahr for the game-ending run on a double to deep right field, and for the second year in a row, Scott City celebrated a district championship on its home field.

"I couldn't have done it if Valerie wasn't on base," Bowers said about the game-ending hit. "She pumps me up."

Vandeven went 5 2/3 innings, scattered 14 hits and took the pitching loss for Leopold. She allowed 11 runs -- all earned -- and had five strikeouts and three walks.

The Wildcats graduate three seniors -- Bucher, Leah Landewee and Makaylee Richards -- and Kinder said the hardest part is watching them depart.

"They've been awesome all year long," Kinder said about his seniors. "They've been leaders. They've hit the ball. They've found the ball. I'm just proud of all three seniors. They've done a lot to build on the program. That's for sure."

The Rams will face Malden in a state sectional on Monday. The Green Wave upended Bernie 12-2 in five innings to claim their second consecutive district title.

Although Amick believes his team's experience in the state tournament is a valuable asset, preparation continues to be his key focus.

"There are things that we can still get better at, and I think our girls understand that you don't just magically do these kind of things," Amick said. "It's through your preparation with understanding what a pitcher's going to do to you, how they attack you, what you've got to do with their lineup and understanding and having a good feel for the game. I think preparation will outweigh experience this time of year.

"Hopefully we'll be prepared Monday."

Leopold 000 001 -- 1 1 1

Scott City 153 002 -- 11 14 1

WP -- Jamie Glastetter. LP -- Lexi Vandeven. 2B -- Bella Bowers 2 (SC), Valerie Bahr (SC), Lexi Hennecke (SC). 3B -- Bahr (SC). Multiple hits -- Scott City: Bahr 4-5, Michaela Kiefer 3-4, Bowers 2-3, Hennecke 2-3, Liz Hensley 2-4.