The Washington Community High School trophy case must be getting crowded, with all the success of their various teams the past few years. Today, the Lady Panthers softball team earned its second straight state trophy, on the heels of its Class 3A championship last year. This year, top-ranked Washington fell in the 3A state title game to second-ranked Lombard Montini, 4-1, in scorching 90-degree heat, as the Lady Panthers could not recapture their come-from-behind magic they conjured up in yesterday’s semifinal victory over Sacred Heart Griffin.
In the semifinal Friday, Washington came back from a late 5-1 deficit to win 6-5. Today, the Lady Panthers led 1-0, heading into the sixth inning, just six outs from a repeat state championship. But Montini put four on the board in the top of the sixth and held the Washington offense in check the final two at bats.
Savannah Budd’s second inning solo home run accounted for the lone Washington run today. Pitcher Madi McCoy, like her team, fell for just the second time this season. McCoy finished with a crazy 30-2 mark. Washington ended its season in the final game of the year for the second straight year and amassed a remarkable 37-2 record. Congrats on another super season, Washington.
Doc Watson
