In their last contest of the regular season, and the final home game for Maddi Evans, Maggie Havens, and Katelyn Shouse, the Madison-Grant Argylls were defeated by the Yorktown Tigers, 9-1, on Wednesday evening.
The game was tied at one heading into the sixth inning, but the Tigers’ offense exploded for eight runs in the top half of the frame to put the game away.
“Obviously, it wasn’t the way we wanted to end [the regular season],” MG head coach Danny Justus said. “We played five solid innings, but we had that one inning you just can’t take back.”
Despite the loss, three gifted athletes, all of whom helped make Madison-Grant into a formidable and successful program, were recognized for all of their accomplishments prior to and after the game.
Evans has been one of the top pitchers in the both the CIC and the county all season long. Havens, an excellent pitcher herself, has been one of Madison-Grant’s top offensive weapons. Shouse, after a slow start, has hit the ball well in the second half of the season.
Needless to say, all three girls will be missed tremendously by their teammates, and their coach.
“I brought them off the field one at a time and teared up pretty good,” Justus said. “It was emotional to say the least, and I am going to miss them and their knowledge, more than anything.”
After emotions subsided, the team’s focus shifted immediately to Blackford, who they will play in their sectional opener next week.
And Justus is confident that his team will be locked in and ready to go.
“We are going to look at it one game at a time,” Justus said. “I think the kids feel confident. Somebody is really going to have to beat us, [because] we aren’t going to give any games away.”