Ladybirds softball team places second at Centralia

CENTRALIA - The No. 2 seed North Callaway Ladybirds softball team managed just three hits in a 10-1 loss to top-seeded Centralia in the championship of the Centralia Tournament on Saturday.

Centralia (16-3) put up two runs in the top of the first inning, one each in the second, third and fifth, and sealed the win with a five-run outburst in the seventh. North Callaway scored its lone run in the fourth when sophomore left fielder Kallie Jo Lehenbauer's single drove in senior second baseman Karlie Popp, who had singled.

Lehenbauer and Popp were both 1-for-3 as the Ladybirds struck out 12 times. Freshman third baseman Harper Thomsen went 1-for-2 with a single in the third.

North Callaway senior starter Madison Ausfahl (5-2) suffered the complete-game loss, surrendering 10 runs - seven earned - on 10 hits, including two home runs and three doubles. Ausfahl struck out one and walked one.

"The girls can be proud," North Callaway head coach Brandi Thomsen said. "It was a great accomplishment to come in second in such a strong tournament.

"I was pleased with the way we played the entire day."

The Ladybirds began tournament play Saturday morning by turning back No. 7 seed Macon 10-7.

Lehenbauer finished 3-for-4 with four runs batted in and two runs scored as North Callaway totalled 12 hits. Thomsen also went 3-for-4 with an RBI, while freshman Mackenzie Ausfahl - who started at shortstop - was 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored twice.

Freshman center fielder Cameran Knipp finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Madison Ausfahl went six innings to post the win, giving up seven runs - only three earned - on seven hits, striking out eight and issuing three walks. Mackenzie Ausfahl worked a scoreless seventh in relief of her sister to earn the save, allowing a hit and striking out one.

The Ladybirds followed up by edging No. 3 seed Monett in a dramatic 8-7 semifinal win in 10 innings.

Sophomore first baseman Hanna Knipp led off North Callaway's 10th with a single and senior catcher Erinn Bush drew a walk. Both runners moved up on a passed ball and, with one out, Knipp dashed home with the winning run on freshman left fielder Lani Wilson's sacrifice fly to right.

Lehenbauer went 2-for-5 with two RBI and scored a run to help power the Ladybirds' nine-hit attack. Popp was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored, while Hanna Knipp finished 2-for-5.

Mackenzie Ausfahl (2-1) tossed seven innings of relief to post the win, giving up two unearned runs on just five hits. She struck out two and walked none.