By Will Johnson, Sports Editor
SALISBURY — Battery power.
That’s what helped the Vienna Eagle softball team extend their season into Saturday’s Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 1 Championship game against Jefferson’s (Conception) Lady Eagles at 11 a.m. at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield.
Trailing 4-3 in a do-or-die top of the seventh inning, Mick Byrd’s Eagles turned to the long ball to extend their season.
Leading off the top of the seventh, Marsie Messersmith tied the game with a solo home run moments after giving up a long ball to Salisbury in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“We knew the game wasn’t over,” Messersmith said. “I’m proud of my teammates for having my back and battling to the very last pitch.”
Two batters later, Messersmith’s battery mate in senior Gabby Wilkinson delivered in the clutch.
Staring at a 2-1 count, Wilkinson deposited the next pitch over the left-field fence for another solo home run and a 5-4 Vienna lead turning the tables on Salisbury.
“I just knew I had to put the ball in play,” Wilkinson said. “Once I saw the ball go over the fence, I was completely shocked.”
Pitching around a lead off single in the bottom of the seventh inning, Messersmith struck out two of the final three batters propelling Vienna into the MSHSAA Class 1 State Softball Title game.
“I don’t care, Byrd said. “We could play the (Philadelphia) Phillies. “All I know is we’re playing one more game for a state championship on Saturday.”
See Wednesday’s Maries County Advocate for a special section and a complete recap of Vienna Eagle Softball’s run to Springfield.
