MONETT, Mo. — Haidyn Berry and Kaylyn Gilbert will likely never forget Friday, October 16 of 2020.
For the Webb City batterymates, it was definitely a night to remember.
Berry tossed a no-hitter and Gilbert broke a scoreless tie with a no-doubt home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the duo led the top-seeded Webb City Cardinals to a 5-0 victory over the second-seeded McDonald County Mustangs in the championship game of the Class 4 District 6 softball tournament at North Park.
The Cardinals (25-5) advance to the quarterfinal round, where they’ll host District 5 champion Bolivar (16-6) on Oct. 22.
“I’m just really excited for this group of girls,” Webb City coach Shauna Friend said. “They’ve worked so hard. This was their goal and to watch them achieve it is really something special.”
During the postgame celebration, Gilbert hoisted Berry into the air and carried her for several feet as the team’s ace pitcher lifted the district championship plaque above her head.
“This is awesome,” said Gilbert, a junior catcher. “This is what we’ve been waiting for. It feels awesome to get that win…we’re doing it for our seniors.”
“It’s overwhelming,” said Berry, a senior who struck out 16 and walked just one batter. “We took care of business today. That’s what we wanted to do, so this means a lot.”
With the top two teams in Class 4 facing off with the season on the line, and with a pair of dominant aces in the circle, it wasn’t hard to predict this one would be an epic showdown.
The Cardinals entered the night ranked first in Class 4 by the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association, with the Mustangs ranked second.
Of course, Webb City edged McDonald County 1-0 during the regular season. This one was eerily similar until the sixth inning.
Facing McDonald County’s Madeline McCall, the Cardinals stranded runners in scoring position in the first five innings without breaking through.
On the other hand, Berry dazzled from the start in what could be called an unforgettable performance.
McDonald County’s only baserunners came in the fourth inning, as Carlee Cooper reached on an error and McCall walked to put runners on first and second with two outs. Berry struck out Reagan Myrick looking to end the threat.
“I got a little flustered, but I knew I could get out of it because I know my teammates have my back,” Berry said. “That’s what is special about this team. We’re together all the time.”
Webb City finally got on the board in the game-changing bottom of the sixth.
Alyssa Jennings and Emalee Lamar both drew walks to start the frame, and the runners moved over on a wild pitch.
In the biggest at-bat of the game, Gilbert smacked a 2-1 fastball over the fence in center field. The drive was estimated to go at least 220 feet.
“I was looking for one in my zone,” Gilbert said. “It was right in the middle and a little higher. Luckily I got a bat on it.”
Gilbert noted it was hard to contain her excitement as she rounded the bases after driving in the game’s first runs.
“I couldn’t slow down,” Gilbert said. “I was so excited to get to my teammates. It was just awesome to get back to the team and celebrate.”
It was Gilbert’s second homer of the season, with her first coming in the fourth game of the season against Neosho.
“Watching KG, that was just pure determination up there,” Friend said. “I’m just really proud of her for coming through when the team needed her.”
In an odd scene, Webb City’s Lamar was called out on the play for not touching home plate while her teammates were awaiting Gilbert’s arrival. With that, a three-run bomb turned into a two-run shot.
However, the Cardinals weren’t done.
Hannah Wells singled, with Maggie Crossley pinch-running. After Shea’lee Key walked, Crossley scored on a throwing error when the toss back to McCall ended up in shallow center field.
After Bri Batson was retired, Emma Welch and Berry both walked, with Berry’s free pass an intentional one.
Coming through in the clutch, Peyton Hawkins lifted a two-run bloop single into center, making it 5-0.
“We just had to string some hits together and we finally got it done,” Friend said.
The Mustangs finally got out of the inning, but the damage had been done.
“It was a pitcher’s duel again, but Webb City was able to break through there in the sixth,” Mustangs coach Heath Alumbaugh said. “Hats off to them. The Webb hitters had great plate discipline and they made Madeline work. They were able to lay off pitches that we get a lot of hitters to bite at. They came through with a big hit. That’s what great teams do. They make their own luck. That’s exactly what Webb did tonight. They were better and they deserved the win tonight.”
Berry, who threw 88 pitches, struck out the final two batters in the top of the seventh to secure not only a district championship, but also a no-hitter.
“I was throwing everything I had and mixing it up,” Berry said. “I wanted to keep them off-balance by switching things up. I just had to get the job done.”
Last year’s Central Ozark Conference Player of the Year, Berry threw a first-pitch strike to 17 of 23 batters.
“Haidyn threw her best against a really good team,” Friend said. “I’m just super proud of her night in the circle and her leadership with this team. The defense didn’t have to do a whole lot, but when they were called upon, they did their job.”
Webb City had eight hits. Berry and Wells had two hits apiece, while Lamar, Welch, Gilbert and Hawkins had one hit apiece. Berry doubled and Wells tripled.
A junior, McCall took the loss. She struck out eight, walked six and gave up eight hits one night after she struck out 17 in the semifinals against Neosho.
The Mustangs, who were going for a third straight district title, end the season at 21-4.
It’s Webb City’s second straight district crown and third in four years.
Ranked sixth in Class 4, Bolivar beat Willard 1-0 in the District 5 title game. Webb City topped Bolivar 2-1 on Sept. 14.
The rematch will determine who advances to the Final Four.
“We’ll have another tough one ahead of us, but I think these girls are up for the challenge,” Friend said.
“It’s go time,” Berry added. “We’re going to give it all we’ve got and we’re excited.”
