H.S. Softball-Pleasant Hope Comes Back To Win State Title
By: Nick Carboni
Updated: October 20, 2012
(Springfield, Mo.) -- The Pleasant Hope Pirates pulled off a comeback for the ages to win the program's first state title, beating Brookfield in Class 2 on Saturday at Killian Stadium.
The Pirates were down 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth, but Kari Hillenburg's two-run triple started a rally.
Hailey Richardson followed with a ground out to short, allowing Hillenburg to score to make it 6-3.
Lizzy Mosley scored on an error by the shortstop, and Pleasant Hope was within two runs.
Freshman Shelby Richardson saved several runs in the top of the sixth with a catch in the left centerfield gap.
In the bottom half, Kori Hillenburg drove home Catlin Evans to make it a one-run game.
Then Mosley belted a grand slam to give the Pirates their first lead of the game, 9-6.
Pitcher Sarah Siegismund held on for the victory.
Pleasant Hope lost in the 2011 final to Palmyra, but eliminated that team in the semifinals on Friday.
"I just went up there and was like, OK, this is going to be awesome," said Mosley "I was kind of upset that they were trying to throw me inside pitches, trying to hit me. I just felt it. I don't really know how to explain it. I just did."
"That's been their goal since Day One," said Pleasant Hope coach Jim Flora. "We knew the day they started practice, they were not going to be happy unless they won the state title. That just goes to show you how special they are. That was their one goal and they accomplished it."
The Pirates were down 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth, but Kari Hillenburg's two-run triple started a rally.
Hailey Richardson followed with a ground out to short, allowing Hillenburg to score to make it 6-3.
Lizzy Mosley scored on an error by the shortstop, and Pleasant Hope was within two runs.
Freshman Shelby Richardson saved several runs in the top of the sixth with a catch in the left centerfield gap.
In the bottom half, Kori Hillenburg drove home Catlin Evans to make it a one-run game.
Then Mosley belted a grand slam to give the Pirates their first lead of the game, 9-6.
Pitcher Sarah Siegismund held on for the victory.
Pleasant Hope lost in the 2011 final to Palmyra, but eliminated that team in the semifinals on Friday.
"I just went up there and was like, OK, this is going to be awesome," said Mosley "I was kind of upset that they were trying to throw me inside pitches, trying to hit me. I just felt it. I don't really know how to explain it. I just did."
"That's been their goal since Day One," said Pleasant Hope coach Jim Flora. "We knew the day they started practice, they were not going to be happy unless they won the state title. That just goes to show you how special they are. That was their one goal and they accomplished it."
