Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Bears softball team punched its ticket for another Third Region tournament appearance last week with an 8-3 win over Edmonson County in the first round of the 12th District Tournament at Whitesville.  The Bears dropped a tough 2-1 decision to Grayson County on Thursday night in the championship game.  Both the champion and runner-up will advance to the Third Region Tournament, which begins today at Daviess County High School.  Butler County will play Owensboro Catholic in the 5 p.m. game. 

Butler County used a 12-hit attack and took advantage of some costly Edmonson errors in the Tuesday night win, despite falling behind 1-0 in the first inning.  The Bears tied the game after two and plated four runs in the fourth to take the 5-1 lead.  

Scoreless the next two frames, the Lady 'Cats rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning for two runs to make it a two-run game.  But, the Bears answered in the top of the 7th with three runs of its own to take a solid 8-3 lead.  Butler County secured the win in the bottom of the inning on three pitches and three consecutive ground ball outs.  

Hitting safely for Butler County  were Madeline Drake (2-1B, 2B, RBI), Morgan Manning (1B, RBI), Hannah Peach (2-1B, 3B, 2-RBI), Amy Rogers (2-2B), Jazmin Reynolds (2-1B), and Kassie Phelps (1B, RBI).  Emily Rich added a RBI.  

Butler County pitcher Morgan Manning turned in a strong performance in the circle.  She scattered six hits and two earned runs, while striking out three batters and hitting one.  

BC     0    1    4    0    0    0    3        8    12    3

EC     1    0    0    0    0    2    0        3     6     4

"This was a great win for our guys," said BCHS coach John Embry.  "Edmonson is good team and they beat us pretty soundly at our place last time so it was good to come back strong and get this win.  Our girls played with confidence, came through with timely hitting, and Morgan delivered for us in the circle.  It was a solid win."  

* * * 

In the fifth consecutive year the Bears and Cougars have squared off in a 12th District Championship game, it was Grayson County that came away with the top prize this time around with a hard-fought 2-1 decision.

Grayson scored a run in each of the first two innings to take a 2-0 lead — an advantage they'd keep until the top of the sixth inning when a Hannah Peach RBI-double got the Bears on the board to cut the deficit in half at 2-1.  However, one run was all the Butler County offense could manage in the sixth and the Bears went down quietly in the seventh as Grayson held on for the win.

Each team had five hits.  

Manning had two singles for Butler County; Jazmin Reynolds and Alex Embry also singled.  

Manning allowed five hits, one earned run, struck out one batter, and walked one in another solid outing. 

BC      0    0    0    0    0    1    0        1    5    2

GC      1    1    0    0     0   0    x        2    5    1

"This was a game that could have gone either way but Grayson came through with one more timely hit than we did and that proved to be the difference," said Embry.  "I am extremely proud of how our girls played in both games.   They played hard and turned in two solid performances despite us falling a little short in the championship game.  They have a lot in which to be proud."

Butler County placed three girls on the 12th District All-Tournament Team - Morgan Manning, Hannah Peach, and Madeline Drake.  Amy Rogers joined Drake on the 12th District All-Season Team.  Payton Grubb, with a perfect 4.0 GPA, was named to the 12th District All-Academic Team. 

"All of these young ladies are very deserving of this recognition," said Embry.  "They have worked extremely hard this season in all their endeavors -both on and off the field - and I'm proud of their accomplishments."

* * * 

Butler County (22-16) will be making its fifth straight appearance in the Third Region softball tournament, which is being hosted by Daviess County this year.  The 2012 tournament will also be the fifth time the Bears find themselves facing perennial power Owensboro Catholic Lady Aces.  In 2008 and 2009, the two teams met in the first round, while in 2010 and 2011, it was in the regional championship.  

"We've played them tough games in the past, especially last year, but just haven't been able to get the win," said Embry.  "Somebody's going to knock Catholic out and I'd glad we're going to get that chance." 

First pitch is set for 5 p.m. today (Monday, May 28).