The Crest Lancers’ season came to an end following a 16-strikeout performance by Chase County senior pitcher Wyatt Griffin in the opening round of the regional tournament.
Crest could not overcome an early four-run deficit in Wednesday’s loss, piecing together runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings but failed to drive runners home in their limited opportunities on base.
After the Bulldogs held Crest scoreless in the first two frames, junior first Monday in the opener. Last month, Iola swept Anderson County 11-0 and 17-2. If they can repeat history Monday, then Iola faces the winner between the three seed Jayhawk-Linn (14-6) and sixth seed Fredonia (5-11).
On the other side of the bracket, the fourth-seeded Humboldt Lady Cubs (17-9) open the tournament against the fifth-seeded Prairie View Buffalos (9-10). If Humboldt advances Monday, they face the winner of the first-seeded Burlington Wildcats (22-4) and the Neodesha Blue Streaks (1-21).
Humboldt will host its opener 5 p.m. Monday. Iola will play at Allen Community College at 5 p.m. Both semifinals will take place at the ACC field the following Wednesday with first pitches slated at 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Crest heads to Oswego for its 2-1A regional tournament, facing top-seeded Uniontown, who recently swept the Lady Lancers 20-3 and 16-0. If they advance, then they face the winner of fourth-seed Erie (13-11) and fifth-seed Northeast (11-12).
The Yates Center Wildcats (6-16) enter their postseason tournament at Flint Hills High School in Rosalia against the top-seeded Central Heights Eagles. The Eagles swept Yates Center 3-2 and 10-0 when they last faced in April. If the Wildcats advance, then they face the winner of the fourth-seed Southern Lion County fifth-seed Eureka contest 2 p.m. Tuesday.
