By Evan Merrill
NKyTribune contributor
Notre Dame scored five runs in the first inning to give junior pitcher Lauren Durstock an early lead and went on to defeat Dixie Heights, 13-2, in five innings to claim the 9th Region fast-pitch softball championship on Thursday at Veterans Memorial Park in Newport.
Durstock, a first-year starter who pitched in just a few games last season, was named the regional tournament’s most valuable player after giving up only two hits in the first regional championship game of her career.
“She’s never been in a situation like that, in a championship game,” said Notre Dame coach Joe Stephenson. “Giving her a five-run spot, it was huge for her.”
This is the second time in three years that Notre Dame (20-8) has won the regional championship. The Pandas did it this year with a lineup that includes four seniors, two juniors and three freshmen. They relished the label of “underdogs” going into the tournament, according to Durstock.
“We definitely have improved as a team,” she said. “I think a lot of people didn’t think we could win, but we came through with the win. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Notre Dame scored two of its five runs in the first inning after a close play at the plate with two outs. The runner was called safe, which extended the inning and enabled the Pandas to open up a 5-0 lead against Dixie Heights senior pitcher Samantha Yake.
Durstock gave up two runs on one hit in the bottom of the first inning, but she breezed through the Dixie Heights’ batting order after that, allowing just one hit over the next four innings.
“We knew they were going to fight tonight,” Durstock said of the Colonels, who scored five runs in both of the regular season games between the two teams. “I think we went into it (like) it was a 0-0 game (against) them, like it was a new team. I think we had a good mindset going into it.”
Notre Dame’s run support for Durstock continued with four runners crossing the plate in both the third and fifth innings. The Pandas finished with 13 hits and every player reached base at least once. Freshman catcher Serena Paterno had three hits and drove in four runs. Junior shortstop Lindsey Meier went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
Durstock, while not overpowering, consistently fooled Dixie Heights hitters with her pitches.
“It’s her work ethic,” coach Stephenson said of the first-year starter’s success. “She’s a relatively young junior pitcher. She didn’t even start pitching until she was between the eighth and ninth grade.”
Notre Dame will play Boyle County (27-13) in the opening round of the double-elimination state tournament on Thursday at Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro. Last month, Boyle County edged Notre Dame, 3-2, in a regular-season tournament hosted by the 12th Region champions.
“I’m really good friends with Boyle County’s coach,” Stephenson said. “We’ve been down there the past two or three years. He has a very nice tournament.”
NOTRE DAME 504 04 — 13 13 1
DIXIE HEIGHTS 200 00 — 2 2 1
WP – Durstock LP – Yake. HITTING LEADERS: NDA — Ladanyi 2B, 2 RBI; L. Meier 3-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Durstock 2-4; E. Huston 2-4; Paterno 3-4, 2B, 4 RBI; Prospero 2 RBI. RECORDS: Dixie Heights 20-13, Notre Dame 20-8.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Notre Dame — Lauren Durstock (MVP), Cori Ladanyi, Serena Paterno. Dixie Heights — Samantha Yake, Kaylee McGinn. Conner — Miranda Meier. Boone County — Olivia Jackson. St. Henry — Matti Kerwin. NewCath — Kateryn Schrieber. Holy Cross — Aleah Tucker. Highlands — Rachel Gabbard.
STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
(at Jack Fisher Park Complex, Owensboro)
Thursday, June 8 – Upper bracket
North Laurel vs. Leslie County, 5 p.m.
McCracken County vs. Louisville Male, 5 p.m.
Central Hardin vs. South Warren, 5 p.m.
Collins vs. East Carter, 5 p.m.
Thursday, June 8 – Lower bracket
Owensboro Catholic vs. Harrison County, 7 p.m.
NOTRE DAME vs. Boyle County, 7 p.m.
Woodford County vs. Louisville Mercy, 7 p.m.
Madisonville-North Hopkins vs. Pikeville 7 p.m.
Friday, June 9
Winners bracket quarterfinal games, 9 a.m.
Losers bracket games, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Winners bracket semifinals, 3 p.m.
Losers bracket games, 5 and 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 10
Winners bracket final, 9 a.m.
Losers bracket games, 9 and 11 a.m.
Championship final, 1 p.m.