Kara Holt wins gold at state baseball tournament
Marion High School freshman Kara Holt of Florence, pitching and playing right field for the McPherson Lady Express, competed in the 14 and under Kansas ASA Junior Olympic state tournament Friday through Monday at the Clinton Lake Sports Complex near Lawrence.
The tournament hosted over 40 teams from throughout the state. The Express took home the gold in their division with an overall record of 4-2. Holt pitched her way to a 2-1 record, including a 7-0 shutout victory in the championship game Sunday afternoon against the Junction City Lady Jays, who had won their way into the finals by run ruling their opponent in the brackets' other semifinal match-up.
Holt finished the championship game with no runs allowed, nine strikeouts, and four walks in the seven inning game.
Holt got plenty of help from solid defense, timely hitting, and aggressive base running during the title game.
The Lady Jays only mounted one serious threat. With the Express leading 3-0, the Jays loaded the bases in the third with no outs. Holt struck out the next batter and the threat was ended on a double play when the second baseman snared a high line drive and flipped to first to end the inning.
The Lady Jays never again got a runner past first base and the Express continued to play excellent defense and added to their lead to close out the Jays and win the gold medal.
The Express competed in four other tournaments at McPherson, Abilene, Emporia, and Clay Center where they finished fourth in 12 team tournaments. The team also competes in a Monday night league in Salina where their record currently stands at 5-4.
