The Lawrence Phenix 12-U Softball team swept both games of a doubleheader against the Platte County Diamonds on July 8 at the Field of Dreams Complex in Basehor.

The Phenix had an easy time of it in the first game, winning 10-3. The second game was more dramatic, with the Phenix pulling it out in extra innings. In that game, Alex Zordel hit a walk-off, two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning to score Anna Mayes and Bailey Scott, giving the Phenix an 8-7 victory.

After the games, Phenix coach Bill Finucane said the victories were the result of a season of stressing sound fundamentals.

“As a group, they came together” Finucane said. “If you stay with the basics, good things will happen. It made the difference in this game.”

It was the Diamonds, however, who got on the board early in the first game.

Phenix starting pitcher Haley Finucane hit Bray Bivens with a pitch in the bottom of the first inning. Bivens made it all the way around the base paths to score on a wild pitch and give the Diamonds a 1-0 lead.

The Phenix kept the damage under control with good defense. Shortstop Scott made an excellent catch on a line drive. Catcher Kacie Welborn then picked off a Diamonds runner at third base, drawing loud cheers from the lively Phenix rooting section. Finucane struck out Alex Leggett to end the inning.

The Phenix struck back in the second frame when Welborn started things off with a single. Madison Oller followed with a single, and Welborn got caught in a rundown between second and third base. Welborn, however, made it out of the rundown, and arrived safely at third base. She then scored the Phenix’s first run of the game on Jamie Morgison’s ground ball to tie the score at 1-all.

Later in the inning, Lexi Smith singled to drive in Oller. Olivia Johnson doubled to bring Smith home,and the Phenix ended the inning up 3-1.

The Diamonds looked to come back in the bottom of the inning when Letitia Brooks led off with a double. But, after Smith had advanced to third, third base Mayes fielded a sharply hit ground ball off the bat of Melanie Green and fired to the plate, where Welborn tagged out Smith.

12-U Phenix player Jamie Morgison scores on a wild pitch in the fourth inning while Platte County Diamonds pitcher Letitia Brooks looks on during a league game on July 8. The Phenix won both games of the doubleheader at Basehor Field of Dreams.

Welborn then threw out Green trying to steal on the next play.

The Phenix got another run in the third inning, when Zordel singled home Haley Finucane. The Lawrence team added two more in the fourth when Morgison tripled to bring in Oller. Morgison then scored herself on a wild pitch.

Center fielder Maddy Wilson made an excellent catch in the bottom of the frame on a sharply hit line drive off the bat of Hannah Arredondo. The Diamonds added their second run of the game on a double by Brooks that brought home Heather Schieber and made it a 6-2 game.

In the fifth inning, the Phenix offense really came alive. After Scott beat out a ground ball for a single, she stole second base and came around to score on a wild pitch. After Haley Finucane walked, Allison Ice brought her in with a ground ball.

Zordel and Welborn followed with singles, before Oller tripled to score them both and put the Phenix up 10-2.

After Bivens scored for the Diamonds on an errant throw in the fifth and final inning, and Phenix first base Smith made a running catch in foul territory, the Diamonds loaded the bases.

Leggett laid down a bunt, unusual for the situation, but Finucane charged the ball and tossed it to Welborn for a force out at home to end the inning and the game.

Mayes started the second game for the Phenix and Zordel came on to get the win in relief.

Lawrence Phenix player Jamie Morgison breaks from third base during a game against the Platte County Diamonds July 8 at Basehor Field of Dreams.

After her game-winning hit in the second game, Zordel was mobbed by her teammates.

Diamonds coach Doug Tolander was disappointed after the two losses.

“I wish we had played to our potential so we could have given them a better game,” Tolander said.

The Diamonds coach praised his opponents, though.

“I’d like to give credit to the Phenix. They played a great game,” Tolander said.

Phenix coach Bill Finucane singled out bench coach Lee Ice, whose daughter Allison plays for the Phenix, as a key to the team’s success.

“The guy knows the game inside and out, and he’s been a tremendous help,” he said.

With the win, the 12-U Phenix improved to 37-17 in league play, despite competing against older teams in the Basehor 14-U Competitive League. They have also compiled a 32-8 record in tournament games this season.