Upsetting their way into last Tuesday night’s Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 3, District 2 Softball Tournament championship game, Hannah Koppelmann’s Owensville Dutchgirls earned a shot at top-seeded Blair Oaks with a spot in the Class 3 quarterfinals over the weekend on the line.

Taking a 2-0 lead entering the bottom of the first inning, Owensville saw Blair Oaks explode for nine runs on three hits and five walks capped by an Avery Libbert grand slam home run.

Blair Oaks added eight runs in the bottom of the second inning on five hits and three walks leaving Owensville on the wrong end of a 17-2 final score.

Settling for second-place hardware in MSHSAA Class 3, District 2, Owensville ended their season with an 11-19 record.

During Owensville’s two-run top of the first inning, Claire Oswalt singled before a Hannah Keeney double and a Dallas Miller walk loaded the bases for Dutchgirl starting pitcher Kabren Kelley.

Kelley then reached on an error allowing courtesy runner Josey Williamson and Keeney to score putting the Dutchgirls on top before a scorched line drive ended the inning.

Down 9-2 in the top of the second inning, Ryan Miller started a two-out rally with a walk before Cameron Ryerson singled to right field moving Miller to third base.

A fielder’s choice ended the Dutchgirl scoring threat.

Now down 17-2 after two innings, Owensville needed at least one run to extend the game to the bottom of the third inning.

Kelley singled with two outs before a line out to left field ended the season for the Dutchgirls.

Last Monday in the district semifinals against Sullivan, Owensville plated three runs in the top of the first inning helping them lead wire-to-wire during their 5-4 victory over the Lady Eagles.

This marked Owensville’s first victory over Sullivan in 10 years overall and first in postseason play since 2002.

“I’m so proud of our girls for holding on and getting such a big win for our program,” Koppelmann said. “Last time we played them, we had one bad inning. This time, we were able to play clean softball and take advantage of their miscues.”

Ryan Miller tripled to lead off the game before scoring when Ryerson reached on an error which also put her at third base.

Oswalt was then hit by a pitch before Keeney drove in Ryerson with a RBI single doubling the Dutchgirl lead to 2-0.

Williamson then crossed the plate on a wild pitch capping Owensville’s three-run first inning.

Sullivan answered in the bottom half of the frame with two runs on two hits and a walk trimming the Dutchgirl lead to 3-2.

After a scoreless second inning, Owensville added a run to their total when Ryerson singled and scored on a Dallas Miller RBI single giving the orange and black a 4-2 lead.

Two hits, a walk and a RBI sacrifice fly allowed Sullivan to answer Owensville’s run in the bottom of the third inning trimming the Dutchgirl advantage to 4-3.

A scoreless fourth inning ensued before the orange and black got what turned out to be a huge run in the top of the fifth.

Ryerson singled with one out before scoring on a RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Oswalt giving Owensville a 5-3 lead.

Kelley pitched around two doubles in the bottom of the seventh helping the Dutchgirls hold on for their 5-4 victory.

Earning the complete-game win, Kelley allowed four runs on nine hits and three walks to go with one strikeout.

Blair Oaks saw their season end over the weekend in the Class 3 Quarterfinals following a 6-5 loss to Doniphan.