Shamrocks Fall to Princeton, Finish Second in Districts

North Harrison fell 3-1 to Princeton at the District Finals Saturday and ended their season at 16-8, one game better than last year, when they finished at 15-9. The Shamrocks had previously fallen to Princeton 3-2 in Albany at the beginning of the year.

It looked like Blue Tiger pitcher Lauren Krohn would just mow down the Shamrock batters, striking out five in her first two innings of work. The only solid hit was a drive by Ashlynn Gilpatrick ran down by center fielder Lacie Lewis.

But Princeton could got take advantage, as North Harrison kept them off the board in the early going.  They had a chance in the first. Krohn singled down the right field line. Lacie Lewis flied out to Amber Wilson in left and Lindsey Batson grounded to Kami Gibson at short. North Harrison threw to second for the force, but second baseman Trendi Johnson threw away the double play attempt and Batson went to third with two outs. But then pitcher Carly Rinehart struck out Makenzie Dunkin on a change to get out of the inning with no damage done.

The Shamrocks finally broke through in the fourth. Carly Rinehart hit a pop fly behind second that nobody took charge on and center fielder Lacie Lewis frantically raced in, only for it to drop in before she could get there. Rinehart made it all the way to second. Emma Craig struck out, but Rainey Fordyce hit a pop fly that Krohn and first baseman Sara Spencer tangled up on, putting runners at first and second. Ashlynn Gilpatrick singled home Rinehart to make it 1-0.

Princeton had two chances to answer. In the fourth, Lewis doubled to left and Batson had a sac bunt to advance her to third. But catcher Emma Craig picked her off third after Rinehart struck out Dunlin for a double play.

In the Princeton fifth, Rinehart struck out Carsey Brown, but Jasmine Allen and Sara Spencer singled and Megan Spencer walked to load the bases. Kennedy Norton hit a pop fly that looked like trouble behind second, but Kami Gibson, who had excellent range from her shortstop position, came racing behind second base to make the catch and she doubled Sara Spencer off for the double play as second baseman Trendi Johnson hustled to the bag to cover.

But the Blue Tigers finally broke through in the sixth when Krohn singled to right and Lewis doubled to left to put runners on second and third with nobody out. Lindsey Batson grounded to Rinehart, but Krohn took off on the play and was safe at home on the fielder’s choice to tie it at 1-1. For some reason, Lewis did not take third on the play, meaning there were runners on first and second instead of first and third, but Makenzie Dunlin did her job and moved the runners up with a groundout to second. Carsey Brown singled one run home to put Princeton up 2-1. Jasmine Allen was called out on strikes, but Sara Spencer hit a slow roller behind second base that shortstop Kami Gibson got to, but didn’t have a play on as a third run crossed the plate.

With one out in the seventh, Trendi Johnson kept North Harrison’s chances alive with a single to center, but Hunter Stevens struck out and Baily Briggs grounded out to end the game.

The Shamrocks finished the season with their seventh straight conference title and their 49th straight conference win. Playing their last game were Kaylee Hilburn, Ashlynn Gilpatrick, Hunter Stevens, Kylie Pottorff, and Kenna Slaughter. Princeton went on to play Platte Valley, which beat Stanberry 8-7 in extra innings to win their district.