Rock Creek Softball Advances Through State Tournament
Finishes as KSHSAA State Runner-Up
June 01, 2009
Heading into the
state softball tournament for the first time since 2004 and only
the third time in the school’s history, the softball team entered
as a 6 seed and faced Medicine Lodge in the opening round.
The Mustangs ignited offensively with 12 hits, scoring at least one
run in each of the 5 innings, defeating the number 3 seed, with a
record of 21-2, by a score of 13-2 in 5 innings. The team had
11 RBI’s and hit a season best .462 in the game. Freshman
right fielder Katie Hodges went 3-4 in the contest with a huge 2
RBI double. Amy Yenzer went 2-3 with a similar 2 RBI
double. Jessi Snapp and Bailey Elliott each had 2 singles in
the contest. Ashley Srna, Taylor Ebert, and Dana Elliott each
notched a single as well. Our freshman went 7-13 in this game
and really led by example offensively. Amy Yenzer improved to
9-4 on the season giving up only 6 hits and striking out 3.
What an atmosphere for the Mustangs...the
Friday night crowd at Anneberg Park representing Rock Creek was
tremendous and outstanding. Thanks so much to all who made
the game.
On Saturday, the Mustangs (again the
underdog) would face the number 2 seed Halstead (record of 23-1 on
the season). The Mustangs were once again at the top of their
game as the semifinals progressed. Fourteen hits – another
season high, and a 10-0 shut out win, would lead the Mustangs into
the class 3A state championship game for the first time in school
history. Becca Snapp (who hit an amazing .500 for the state
tournament) was 3-4 in this game with a double. Bailey
Elliott (3-5) had a triple and 2 singles in the game. Jessi
Snapp continued to be successful with a 2-3 showing scoring 2
runs. Ashley Srna doubled and singled in the game to drive
home 3 runs. Katie Hodges doubled for the second straight
game. Amy Yenzer went 2-4, Taylor Ebert singled. Taylor
Ebert was 2 batters away from a perfect game from the mound.
Walking only her third batter of the season, and giving up a single
in the game. Taylor’s shutout was her 6th of the season; she
struck out 6. The Mustangs again performed at their highest
level, and kept the Halstead Dragons at bay.
The Mustangs faced the Silver Lake Eagles
in the state title game, falling 3-8 at the end of 7. The
Mustangs didn’t have the offense that had carried them so
successfully to the championship game, only 6 hits, 3 of which came
from senior shortstop Dana Elliott. Becca Snapp doubled and
freshman Bailey Elliott and Jessi Snapp each singled. Amy
Yenzer pitched the first 3 innings and Taylor Ebert finished the
game from the mound, each competed their best to keep the Eagles
off the bases and give Rock Creek a chance to win. “Silver
Lake is good, and they get into our heads a little bit. As
much as we all would have liked to win that State Championship, we
couldn’t be more proud of these kids and the way they’ve competed
down the stretch of this regional and state run.” It’s a
great time to be a Mustang. The girls finish their season
19-7, with a MEL title, Regional title, and a 2nd place
finish in the state. “We have nothing to hang our heads
about; these girls are all winners and conduct themselves on and
off the field in such a wonderful manner.”
Thanks so much to all the supporters at
both the regional and state tournaments. Wow! What a
great atmosphere the community provided both at Marysville and
Manhattan; thank you to all who made those trips with the
team. Kudos to the 2009 Rock Creek Mustang Softball team on
an outstanding season.
Congratulations to Dana Elliott, Amy
Yenzer, Taylor Ebert for their All-League selection. Bailey
Elliott made the MEL honorable mention team.
