Carthage’s Presley Probert hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning, and that’s all Carthage would need to upset Republic in the district softball semifinal Wednesday. Carthage pulled away in the late innings for a 6-0 win, advancing to the district title game against Kickapoo and ending Republic’s season.
Jensyn Elder, Carthage’s starting pitcher, plowed through the Republic lineup, allowing just two base hits, one to Mara Lakey and another to A.J. Fenske. The Lady Tigers put just one runner in scoring position all night – that was Fenske, who doubled to lead off the sixth inning but never made it to third base.
“Elder threw a great game against us. We knew she liked to throw it in, and we just didn’t make adjustments against her,” said coach Lee Dishman. “Hats off to her for just doing her job and executing. Carthage was prepared and did a great job of competing.”
After Probert’s home run, Carthage added single runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 3-0 lead. They put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh with three more.
The loss ended Republic’s season, and ended the careers of six seniors: Alex Creech, A.J. Fenske, Kaitlyn Ragsdale, Avery Romans, Claire Summers, and Emma White.
“After the game, we just told the girls that softball doesn’t define them; they define this great program. Our seniors have bright futures ahead of them, and hopefully they can take what they learned from this great game and apply it to their future lives,” Dishman said. “We are a family, and they will always be a part of this family. They left the program better than when they arrived here. The younger girls have had great mentors. We have young girls watching our games hoping to be the next great name of Republic softball because of the foundation these ladies helped create.”
