Young Mount Zion softball team blossoming in postseason heading into sectional finals (2024)

CHARLESTON — Greg Blakey thought his Mount Zion softball team would have some talent this season, but a celebration after a sectional semifinal win was something he wasn’t sure about a couple months ago.

After losing six seniors, Mount Zion hasn’t missed a beat with younger players stepping up in a 4-1 win over Rochester on Tuesday.

Last year featured a senior-heavy team that looked primed for a deep postseason run. The Braves tore through the Apollo Conference and finished 32-6 after a nailbiting 5-4 loss to Charleston in the super sectionals. A new group of players came in during what could’ve ended up being a rebuilding year and Blakey didn’t know what to expect.

"We didn't know if we'd be 15-15," Blakey said. "We didn't really expect to be 31-5. We kind of thought it'd be a rebuilding year. We thought we'd have some talent, which we obviously do, but didn't didn't expect the win total."

Those younger players who played either reserve roles on varsity or split some time playing junior varsity ended up transitioning to bigger roles with ease. These Braves (31-5) are a couple games away from a state run that was just missed last season. Mount Zion faces Chatham Glenwood at 5 p.m. on Friday for the sectional title.

Consistent defense helped the Braves get past Rochester in the sectional semis, something uncommon for a team that features just two seniors in its starting lineup. Sophom*ore Ella Fink had a dominant outing, holding the Rockets to just one run in a complete game, and was helped by outfielders covering ground to snag line drives and rob multiple potential extra base hits.

Freshman right fielder Savanna Beiler made a crucial diving play in the seventh that punctuated a steady performance by the Braves fielders.

"They're a tough group of kids," Blakey said. "They are very resilient, and we've worked hard on defense early in the season, to be honest. But they are tough, gritty kids that just get things done. They hate to lose and are very resilient."

There was some good defense for both sides, with Rochester throwing out multiple Mount Zion runners on the basepaths. A base hit with one out in the top of the first looked like it could score the game’s first run. Instead it ended the inning after a Brave baserunner was thrown out at home and the other was thrown out at third.

Fink continued her dominance before Mount Zion senior Audri Johnson broke the game open. She battled to a full count with multiple foul balls before smashing a grand slam to center field to give the Braves a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third. That was all the scoring Mount Zion would need with Rochester getting just one run in the top of the fifth.

"We knew she had the potential she showed all this year, but she's got in the in the cages and worked hard this winter to become a pitcher," Blakey said. "Coming in, we really didn't know what we'd get, but she has been huge."

Charleston falls to Glenwood

After graduating the core from a team that finished fourth in the state last season, Charleston ended its season with a record of 21-9 after a 13-3 loss to Glenwood in the sectional semis.

Addison Schrader pitched for the Trojans, who got on the board first in the top of the first. Glenwood managed to score in every inning, with a pair of home runs in the bottom of the third, opening up a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

Three runs each in the fourth, fifth and sixth led to a run rule victory for Glenwood. Ryleigh Kiel had a game-high four RBI.