Andale downs Indians

MCPHERSON – The underdog Larned/La Crosse softball team played its best 41/2 innings of the season to lead Andale/Garden Plains 2-0 in the 4A McPherson softball regional. Larned (12-11) was seven outs away from a huge upset.

But Andale won the battle of Indians with five runs in its final two at-bats to escape with a 5-2 semifinal victory. Andale (17-9) upset McPherson 8-5 to qualify for the 4A state softball tournament.

Larned’s Karley Lemuz doubled in the second inning. Camryn Ettleman singled home pinch runner Gillian Smith for a 1-0 lead. Kenzie Reinert doubled and scored on

Teagen Walker’s fifth-inning single.

Indian pitcher Madison Wood (8-8) threw four brilliant shutout Innings. A 2-out error cost the Indians three unearned runs. Elsie Johnson delivered an RBI single and Maddison McKim converted a 2-run single.

Emery Benson-Hladik hit an RBI single and Bella Cates scored on a wild pitch for a 5-2 victory.Andale pitcher Jayna Lies struck out five batters.

Larned 010 010 0 – 2 6 2

Andale 000 032 x – 5 8 3

Wood and Hedding. Lies and Benson-Hladik. W—Lies. L—Wood. 2B—L—Lemuz, Kenzie Reinert.