WASHINGTON — Taking advantage of opportunities.

That was the difference between victory and defeat for Hannah Wehar’s Owensville Dutchgirl softball team during the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 3, District 7 Softball Tournament in Washington at St. Francis Borgia Regional High School.

Scoring their first district victory in seven years with a 2-0 win over Union last Wednesday, Owensville’s reward was a semifinal showdown with the top-seeded and 11-time defending district champion Sullivan Lady Eagles.

Unable to overcome an eight-run first inning, Wehar’s Dutchgirls saw their season end at 14-13 following a 12-2 loss to Sullivan in five innings.

“I’m so proud of the way these girls fought all season,” Wehar said. “We may not have went seven innings with Sullivan this time, but we know we have a bright future ahead graduating only three seniors.”

Batting first against the Lady Eagles, Caelie Horstmann reached on an error before a Halie Boyer sacrifice bunt allowed Horstmann to take third base on a throwing error.

Striking out to end the inning, OHS could not turn Sullivan’s two errors into runs.

That turned the momentum towards the Lady Eagles moving to the bottom of the first.

Sending 12 batters to the plate, Sullivan plated eight runs on six hits and three errors with the big blow being a Hanna Johanning three-run home run leaving Owensville trailing 8-0 after one inning.

Following scoreless second and third frames, Wehar’s Dutchgirls got their first and run of the game in the top of the fourth inning.

Addison Wright helped her cause with a one-out single before scoring when Katelyn Landolt reached on an error. Landolt was thrown out trying to take second base leaving Owensville trailing 8-1 going to the bottom of the fourth.

Sullivan got that run back and another one in the bottom of the fourth on four hits to take a 10-1 lead into the fifth inning.

Looking to cut further into Sullivan’s deficit.

Serving as the designated player for first baseman Gabby Bunners, Leah Reed lined the first pitch she saw to right field for a one-out triple.

Following a walk to Paige Loyd, Horstmann drove in Reed with a RBI single to go into the bottom of the fifth inning trailing Sullivan 10-2.

One out away from the sixth inning, the Dutchgirls saw Sullivan turn three hits and a walk into two runs ending the game in five innings.

In first-round action against Union, a Halie Boyer RBI single scoring Anna Finley in the fourth inning and Finley RBI single scoring Reed in the sixth inning helped the Dutchgirls to their first district victory in seven years following their 2-1 over Union.

Out dueling Union’s Kelsie Hardester, OHS sophomore Addison Wright struck out six Lady Wildcats.