For the first time in 17 years, the Fort Campbell High School softball program has extended its season beyond the district tournament semifinals. With a resounding 11-0 victory Monday over No. 2 seed Hopkinsville, the third-seeded Falcons earn a spot in the 8th District final and, subsequently, in next week’s 2nd Region Tournament.
The date was May 23, 2006 the last time the Falcons won a postseason matchup. FCHS also broke a nine-year losing streak against Hoptown to advance. Hailey Herron was the offensive hero in the drought-ending triumph, as the Fort Campbell sophomore hit her first home run of the season and drove in three runs to lead the charge.
Herron, who finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored, also delivered one of three Falcon doubles off HHS starting pitcher Shaniyah Straight. Anika Weisbrich doubled and joined Herron with a three-RBI performance. The trio of Herron, Weisbrich and Carrie McCrary combined for all eight FCHS hits.
Junior Kiley McCrary (5-7) was outstanding in the circle. She threw a five-inning no-hitter, while striking out 14 Tigers in a masterful performance. McCrary appeared to strike out the side to end the game, just like she did in the bottom of the first inning, but a passed ball extended the contest. After issuing her fourth walk of the night, McCrary finally finished off the no-no by inducing a ground-ball out to end it.
Atop the Hopkinsvile order, Jakayla Grubbs drew a pair of walks and stole a base, but McCrary was too dominant for the Tigers to get their offense going. Hoptown had scored a combined 50 runs during its four-game winning streak to end the regular season, and put up 19 runs during a March 16 victory over Fort Campbell, but Monday was a different story.
HHS senior leader Straight, who entered the game with a team-best .564 batting average, struck out in both her plate appearances. She also took the loss in the circle, allowing five walks, six hits and seven earned runs in three innings. Straight went 9-8 in her final season and shouldered the Hoptown load.
Fort Campbell (7-13) will take on Christian County (18-12) in the 8th District championship game at 6 p.m. Tuesday, weather permitting. The Colonels are the host of this year’s district tournament and have won it every year since 2004. According to the KHSAA scoreboard, which dates back to 1999, CCHS has defeated the Falcons in 38 straight games.
