Shawnee — After two wins Saturday, the Lawrence Legends are poised for revenge -- and a state title.
The 18-and-under softball squad wrapped up victories against the McPherson Lady Express, 3-1, and the SEK Sonic Boom, 3-2, in the "B" division of the Kansas North State Softball Tournament at the Johnson County Girls Athletic Complex. The wins set up a rematch against the Kansas Best Mad Dawgs in the semifinals at 11:30 this morning.
The winner advances to the 3:30 p.m. championship, while the loser drops to the consolation bracket and must win two games for the championship.
The Mad Dawgs bounced Lawrence, 8-0, in pool play Friday night, but the Legends think they're ready for the Chase County-based team this time.
"I think they're up for the challenge," coach Kristina Johnson said. "We'll all know what to expect. Hopefully, our kids' heads will be in the game."
They were Saturday.
Lawrence out-hit the Sonic Boom, 7-5, and Audrey Corkill came through with a timely single in the bottom of the sixth inning that brought in Danielle Huff for the winning run. Felicia Freeman picked up the win, throwing all six innings and allowing just five hits and one earned run.
"We all came out ready to play," Huff said. "After the way we ended last night, I think it pumped us up."
Corkill's game-winning RBI helped erase the Legends' mental errors Saturday, which were the one area in which they struggled. The had four errors in the first inning against the Sonic Boom and three in the first inning against the Express.
Pitcher Leigh Anna Thompson dominated the Express, though, allowing just three hits, no earned runs and striking out four batters in six innings.
Now, the Mad Dawgs loom, but the Legends aren't nervous.
"They hit well off us," Huff said. "But just because they hit a few home runs doesn't mean we can't string singles together and get some runs. We just have to be ready to play."
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