JACKSON – The West Lincoln Lady Bears had their quest for theClass 1A Slowpitch Softball Championship come to an end Saturday atthe hands of the Smithville Lady Seminoles.

Smithville eluded West Lincoln 2-1 in the best-of-three seriesto clinch the state title. The Lady Seminoles won the first game6-5, but the Lady Bears took the second contest 3-2. Smithvillecame back in the deciding game to claim a 6-1 victory.

“We were nervous in the first game and we gave up some runs,”said West Lincoln head coach Andrew Redd. “But we shook off ourbutterflies. In the second game, it was a hard-fought game.

“Both teams battled in the third game,” Redd continued. “We werenot in the game. We could not hit the ball. But we had a goodseason. I am proud of the girls for making it this far.”

West Lincoln finished the season with a 26-10 record. Smithvilleis 30-6. Smithville was runner-up to East Webster in last May’sfastpitch softball state finals.

“We did not play great defense like we should,” said Smithvillecoach Jeremy Duke. “We finally hit the ball and played well in thethird game.”

Smithville 6, West Lincoln 5

In the first game, Smithville led 6-3 after 3 innings A 2-runhome run by Hannah Knouse cut the deficit to 6-5 in the bottom ofthe fifth.

Winning pitcher Magan Knight struck out 2 batters and walkednone. Jessica Franklin had no strikeouts and walked 4 batters.

Ashley McCaffrey and Liana Laird both tripled and singled forWest Lincoln. Knouse and Alexis Cook ripped 2 singles apiece.Singling were Julie Case, Keri Easley and Shelby Lofton.

Kami Roberts led Smithville with a double and a single. MeganWhitehead singled twice. Doubling was Tiffani Nuntz. Hitting safelywere Whitney Fears, Lynndon Northington, Jordan Northington andKelsi Watson.

West Lincoln 3, Smithville 2

The Bears took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and held it untilthe fourth. Seminole Watson hit a 2-run homer to tie the game. WestLincoln scored the winning run in the top of the seveth.

Franklin posted the win with no strikeouts and 4 walks. Knighttook the loss with no strikeouts or walks.

Laird tripled and singled twice for West Lincoln. Cook singledtwice. McCaffrey, Easley, Franklin and Stephanie Smith hitsafely.

Smithville got a single from Jordan Northington, Tiffani Nuntzand Lakin Wigginton.

Smithville 6, West Lincoln 1

Smithville exploded for 5 runs in the second inning for a 6-0lead. West Lincoln punched in its run in the seventh.

Knouse tripled for the Bears. Singling were Case, Cook, HaleyAinsworth and Lofton.

Jordan Northinghan powered the Seminoles with a double and 2singles. Fears and Courtney Phillips ripped 2 singles apiece.

Knight fanned 1 batter and walked 1 for the win. Franklin tookthe loss with no strikeouts and 3 walks.