4A-I softball: Errors end chance at Augusta three-peat

The thing about dynasties, in any sport, is that they inevitably come to an end.

It’s just sometimes the way it goes down hurts more than others — like how the Augusta softball team saw its chance at a third straight state championship slip away on Saturday at the Class 4A-I Tournament.

“It’s gut-wrenching,” Augusta coach Shane Steinkamp said. “To be one strike away from being in the championship … but that’s what makes sports great. It’s never over until it’s over. You have to take those opportunities and close things out. We didn’t do that today.”

Spring Hill defeated Augusta 2-1 in eight innings in the semifinals, with both of its runs coming after Augusta errors in the final two innnings. Augusta managed to score just three runs in three state tournament games, closing things out with a 3-1 loss to Independence in the third-place game.

In Steinkamp’s four seasons, the Orioles have two state championships, a runner-up finish and a fourth-place finish. They graduate just two seniors off this season’s team.

“We’ll be just fine,” Steinkamp said. “This doesn’t define what we’ve done the last four years or even the years before that. Second, first, first and fourth is nothing to sneeze at.”

Augusta (19-6) came seemingly as close as it could come to playing for another state championship after taking a 1-0 lead in the fourth against Spring Hill on a double by Katie Payne that scored Taylor Hinnenkamp — the only extra-base hit for Augusta in the state tournament.

Clinging to the 1-0 lead in the seventh with two outs, Augusta pitcher Abby Emmitt pushed Spring Hill’s Sierra Sanderson to a full count before Sanderson connected for a single. With runners on first and third, Spring Hill’s Elizabeth Hays hit a soft grounder back to Emmitt, who threw wide of first baseman Alison Macari and Spring Hill tied the score on a run from Shannon Stovall.

In the eighth, Spring Hill loaded the bases with two outs before Augusta center fielder Carly Phillips dropped a fly ball for the final out and Danielle Townley scored the winning run.

“That (semifinal) game just took a lot out of us, it’s devastating to lose like that and it just kind of hits you over the head,” Payne said. “You’re one strike from the championship, then you’re playing (in the third-place game) ... losing in the semifinals was still definitely on my mind. That’s a tough loss to shake off that quick and then play another game.”

Spring Hill defeated Kansas City Piper 1-0 in 10 innings in the championship game, with Townley connecting for an RBI double in the 10th that scored Hays for the game’s only run. Sarah Brown pitched all 25 innings of state tournament play for Spring Hill.

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 9:12 PM with the headline "4A-I softball: Errors end chance at Augusta three-peat."