SILEX, Mo.– The Silex Lady Owls were defeated by the St. Elizabeth Hornets 7-3 on Saturday afternoon in the Class 1 State Quarterfinal. The loss to St. Elizabeth put an end to the Silex 2021 softball season, but the team finished as part of the Elite 8 in Class 1.

Silex played host to St. Elizabeth and won the coin toss to be the home team, on their home field. Fans filled the parking lot and packed the stands on the chilly October afternoon, in support of the 20-2 Lady Owls. The ballpark was buzzing with excitement and a sense of anxiousness as the Owls took the field in hopes of punching a ticket to Springfield. A one-two-three top of the first inning encouraged the already excited Silex fans to erupt as the Owls ran off the field with a big grin.

A competitive first three innings of play on both sides had this match knotted at one run a piece. In the top of the fourth inning, the Hornets tacked one more run on the board, but the lead would only hold for one inning. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Tori Mudd came through with a two-run double off the wall in left center-field to give the Owls the lead. Silex had a rush of energy and needed to secure only six outs for the victory.

If only “six more outs,” was that simple. In the top of the sixth inning the wheels fell off the bus for Silex as the team struggled defensively. Defensive errors and key hits from the St. Elizabeth offense allowed three runs to cross the plate. Silex lost the lead and was down by two, with six outs left to punch their ticket to the Final Four. A pitching change threw Silex for a loop, and the ladies in green burned three outs. A change in momentum was apparent as the Silex student section and dugout was nearly silent.

As the Lady Owls took the field in the top of the seventh, the athletes had a stressed look in their eyes as the pressure was on. St. Elizabeth once again took advantage of errors in the field and came through with hot shots to clear the bases. The Hornets added two more runs before the Silex defense could record three outs.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Silex was down to their last three outs and trailed St. Elizabeth 7-3. The good news was, Silex was right where they wanted to be in their line-up, Sarah Weatherford, Taylor Howard, and Karlie Ellis who was pinch hitting for Rita Thoroughman. Silex went down one-two-three to close the book on the 2021 season. St. Elizabeth celebrated on the field as Silex fans cheered for their hometown athletes for a fantastic softball season.

The Silex Lady Owls finished the 2021 season 20-3. The Lady Owls were Louisiana Bulldog Invitational Champions, EMO Conference Co-Champions, Class 1 District 8 Champions, state semi-finalist, and state quarterfinalist. Congratulations to the Silex Lady Owls on well played game and a great season!

In the featured image, Maddie Isom celebrates a big double play to end the top of the fifth inning. The play kickstarted the big fifth inning rally for the Lady Owls. Above, Abagail Mooney steps on second base for the force out and fires the ball to first base in an attempt to turn a double play as Rita Thoroughman watches.