Marmaduke is going to the Class 2A state tournament for the first time after taking a 21-2 victory over Pangburn in the first round of the North Regional.
Marmaduke was 0-5 in its previous five trips to the regionals.
"We've lost five in a row in the first round of the regional," Marmaduke Coach Steve Richey said. "There were a lot of years we were just glad to be there and faced really good teams so it feels good to finally get there."
April Kennedy scored two runs in the first inning for the Greyhounds, while Alex Richey scored three runs during the four-inning game. Tabitha Hyten provided the big hit for Marmaduke with a three-run home run in the second inning.
"We've known all year long we were capable of hitting the ball and putting it in play and we just had kids that went up there and didn't strike out," Richey said. "Today it happened to be hit in places that their defense wasn't. We hit it hard and found the holes."
Tiffany Traywick earned the complete-game victory for Marmaduke allowing only 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 4.
Addison Snowden and Marcy Atkins scored the two runs for Pangburn with Snowden getting an RBI single in the second.
Morgan Gallegly and Erica Parrott combined to allow 12 hits for Pangburn while striking out only one Marmaduke batter.
"We just hit the ball against them," Richey said. "Everyone went up there looking for a pitch to hit. We have some young kids in the lineup and they feed off momentum, there is no doubt about that. When things start going well our girls start feeling better about their self."
TUCKERMAN 9, MARKED TREE 1
Marked Tree jumped ahead 1-0 after one inning but Tuckerman brought two runners across the plate in the fourth to go with three in the fifth and four in the sixth to walk away with the victory.
Katelyn Platt earned the victory for Tuckerman, allowing only five hits while striking out three. Madison Carroll took the loss for Marked Tree, surrendering nine runs while striking out four.
Kati Cloud, Hannah Dilday and Kaitlyn McGonigal all scored twice for Tuckerman. Dilday provided the big hit with a home run in the fifth. Jay Perry went 3 of 4 for Marked Tree and scored their lone run.
RECTOR 11, CEDAR RIDGE 5
Rector overcame an early 2-0 deficit to qualify for the state tournament.
Matison Dean earned the victory for Rector, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits while striking out 4 to earn the victory. Kendall Gunn led Rector offensively, going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Courtney Sheppard added two runs for Rector, while Brittany Fair added a home run.
Mia McKinney and Latrisha Grissom combined to allow 13 hits and nine runs for Cedar Ridge with McKinney taking the loss.
Sports on 05/10/2014