Softball sweeps Lakeside-DeKalb to advance to second round in state playoffs

Lady+Horns+showing+their+pride+and+excitement+with+the+signature+%E2%80%9CHook+%E2%80%98Em%E2%80%9D+gesture.+Photo+used+by+permission+from+Nancy+Aledia.

Lady Horns showing their pride and excitement with the signature “Hook ‘Em” gesture. Photo used by permission from Nancy Aledia.

The Lady Horns softball team just shutout Lakeside-DeKalb 2-0 on Wednesday evening in the best-of-three series for the first round of state playoffs in Class AAAAAAA. The Horns (23-3, 15-0) have been hot, just coming off a region championship. They went undefeated in the region for the first time in Lambert softball history. They were hoping to keep the momentum going with their first two playoff games, and they didn’t disappoint.

Kassidy Krupit pitched a no-hitter in the 14-0 victory in Game 1. She struck out six batters, and had no walks. In addition, the offense came out strong and really lit up the game. The Lady Horns put up 14 runs in three innings lead by Marissa Guimbarda’s two solo homeruns in the first and third innings. Not to be outdone, freshman Brooke Miller added a homer of her own in the second. Lindsey Nelson and Skylar Aledia both chipped in 2 RBIs and broke open the hitting frenzy to allow Lambert to easily pull away with the win.

In Game 2, Guimbarda got the start on the mound and was just as effective allowing no runs with six strikeouts and a walk. Lambert scored 12 runs in the first three innings, and Miller racked up four RBIs on three hits.

Although Lambert is known for their defensive prowess, it was the pitching and hitting that were the names of the game during this first round of playoff games.

Due to the early lead, several Lambert substitute players got a chance to get in the game. Allie Hengler and Riley Rollings didn’t succumb to the pressure, and each got a hit to contribute to the hitting flurry for the Horns.

Next up, Lambert will face the winner of Hillgrove and Camden County on Wednesday. If they make it past this round, it means a trip to Columbus and the furthest any Lambert softball team has ever gone.