Mulvane ? Brynn Hamilton began Friday evening as Eudora’s top pitcher. After her sterling performance in a victory over Girard, she may deserve some credit for her work with the bat, too.

The No. 6-seed Eudora Cardinals defeated No. 3-seed Girard, 3-0, Friday on the opening day of the Class 4A state softball tournament.

After dropping a single into center field in the third inning only to be stranded at third base, Hamilton took matters into her own hands in the fourth frame. The pitcher, batting seventh, lined a two-out double into left field to bring home catcher Evan Folks for the Cardinals’ first run.

“Brynn played with confidence,” coach Cara Kimberlin said. “She was more aggressive at the plate than she has been.”

Hamilton added some insurance the next time she stepped into the batter’s box. With runners on first and second and two outs, she laced a double just over the outstretched glove of Girard second baseman Brandi Clausen. Both runners scored on the hit, giving Eudora a three-run advantage that it never would relinquish.

“It felt really good to contribute,” Hamilton said. “I haven’t been able to hit this well all season.”

Although the Cardinals had momentum heading into the final inning, the Trojans’ Alysha Poteat ripped a double just inside the third base line and advanced to third on an errant throw.

With one out and a runner at third, Nikki Cuthbertson hit a slow roller back toward the pitcher. Hamilton fielded the ball cleanly and threw to first base for the second out of the inning.

As Hamilton threw the ball, the runner at third broke for home plate. Eudora first baseman Kayci Vickers fired home to catcher Evan Folks, who received the throw high but just in time to block the plate and apply the game-ending tag.

“It was a great play all around,” Kimberlin said.

Eudora meets No. 2 seed Andale-Garden Plain in the semifinal matchup at 10 a.m. today. The championship and third-place games are later today.