Fort Scott clinches SEK softball title

CHANUTE -- Fort Scott High's softball team clinched its first Southeast Kansas League title since 2009 Friday when it swept Chanute 11-4 and 4-0 in a league doubleheader, ending Labette County's three-year championship reign.

The Tigers finished the regular season unbeaten in league play, 10-0, and were 15-3 overall going into Monday's first-round Class 4A Regional Tournament game against Pittsburg. Chanute, which could have won the league title itself with a sweep, finished in third place behind Independence at 8-4, 10-8.

Fort Scott took a the lead with 4 runs in the top of the third inning but Chanute scored 3 in the bottom of the frame.

The Tigers added another run in the fourth with Chanute getting that back in the bottom of the sixth to get within 5-4.

Fort Scott then removed all doubt with a 6-run seventh inning. When Chanute went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning against pitcher Hannah Geneva, the Tigers clinched the SEK title as the Blue Comets were three losses behind with one game remaining.

Geneva (9-1) allowed 1 earned run on 4 hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out 12 batters.

At the plate, Keyenne Wade drove in 3 runs on a seventh-inning home run, her first of the season. Sidney Maycumber drove in 2 runs and had 2 hits. Abby Denton also had 2 hits.

Game two was tighter but Wade (5-2) allowed only 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out 9 for the Tigers. She, Denton, Hannah Tourtillott, Sidney Maycumber, Shelby Maycumber, and Katie Gorman all had 2 hits. Sidney Maycumber drove in 2 runs.

The day began with a single junior varsity game, which Fort Scott won 14-5 with the aid of an 8-run third inning. Meghan Guss was 3 for 4 at the plate with 4 runs batted in. Kyle Brown was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI. Abi Keating also was 3 for 4 and Camiren Defebaugh was 3 for 3. Tanner Wunderly went 2 for 3 and Emily Bowman was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.

Brown was also the winning pitcher, allowing 1 earned run on 4 hits and 4 walks with 4 strikeouts.

VARSITY

Chanute... 003 001 0 -- 4 4 3

WP -- Geneva (9-1). LP -- n/a.

HR -- Fort Scott: Wade (1, 7th inn., 2 on, 1 out)

Game Two

Chanute... 000 000 0 -- 0 2 0

WP -- Wade (5-2). LP -- n/a.

HR -- none.