By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
SHAWNEE – Piedmont’s offense exploded for a second straight game in the Class 5A state tournament at FireLake Ball Fields.
The Wildcats cruised past Durant 18-0 in five innings to punch their ticket to the state championship game for the second time in three seasons. Five players finished with multi-hit outings, including senior Chloe Bohuslavicky who drove in five runs in the top of the second inning on a double and a grand slam.
“It’s great just because I know we’ve earned it,” Bohuslavicky said. She also pitched four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. “We’ve worked so hard during the summer and during the offseason. We have 14 seniors that have done it for the last four years so it’s a really good feeling.”
The Cats put up 11 runs on nine hits in the second, including Bohuslavicky’s two extra-base knocks and one RBI apiece from seniors Jade Rowland, Ellie Griffin, Rikki Hadley, Cozee Clark and freshman Karissa Fiegener.
Piedmont added seven runs in the top of the third to all but seal the victory.
With two outs in the inning, the Cats racked off seven hits and two walks. Griffin singled in two runs, Clark singled in one and Fiegener drew a bases-loaded walk. The Cats also scored two runs on a Durant error off the bat of senior Ashlyn Brown.
“We’re on a roll right now,” Bohuslavicky said of Piedmont’s approach at the plate. “We’re going up there swinging at good pitches, hitting the ball hard and scoring runs.
“We’re also not letting down when someone gets out. That’s been a big deal for us and also staying loud to keep everyone up.”
Bohslavicky’s five RBI led the way for Piedmont. Fiegener, Clark and Griffin each drove in two while Hadley and Rowland plated one. Senior Kennedi Morelock finished with three hits from the top of the lineup as well as Clark with three hits.
The Wildcats now turn their sights to Carl Albert (30-5), who defeated Collinsville 14-4 Friday in the first semifinals game. The two teams met once this year – an 11-10 win by the Titans Sept. 16 in Midwest City. They also met in the 2017 state championship game where Carl Albert won 12-0.
First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Shawnee.
