Editor's Pick Topical
Nebraska high school softball rankings, September 19
With a busy week ahead, Bellevue East coach Casie Onken was hopeful that ace pitcher Alisha McMurtry wouldn’t have to pitch the entire game Tuesday night against Omaha Central.
That plan worked out just the way the Chieftains hope it would in their 8-0, 5-inning Metro Conference softball victory over the Eagles.
McMurtry is a junior who is drawing the interest of many Division I schools, including Nebraska, Creighton, UNO, Minnesota and Wichita State, as well as St. Thomas (Minnesota). Chieftains coach Casie Onken said managing McMurtry’s workload as the postseason fast approaches.
“I think that’s our biggest thing is being able to consistently score runs early for her,” Onken said. “That’s so we can make changes and get more people in and get more at-bats.”
Two runs in the first inning and three apiece in the third and fourth innings helped create that ideal scenario before an estimated crowd of 150 at the Lied Activity Center field for the Class A No. 7-ranked Chieftains.
McMurtry pitched three innings against the Eagles, striking out seven against one walk and one hit, a bunt single by catcher Mackenzie Simpson. Her two plate appearances were short as McMurtry was intentionally walked, even when she came up as the leadoff batter in the third inning.
With a Thursday game against Omaha Marian and three games Saturday at the Lincoln Southeast pool play tournament, the 15-6 Chieftains have four games before a Monday showdown with Top 10 and Class A No. 2-ranked Millard North.
Closing in on 200 strikeouts as the season enters its sixth week, McMurtry is feeling comfortable with a new pitch in her arsenal.
“The change-up is definitely what I’ve been working on a lot because I used to not be able to throw it for a strike at all,” McMurtry said. “Adding that and having the rise ball has been really beneficial for me and my game.”
The Chieftains took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Brynn Friedrich led off with a walk, stole second base then scored East’s first run on a double to left-center field by right fielder Madisyn Mitchell.
After McMurtry’s first intentional walk, Mitchell and McMurtry’s courtesy runner Emma Friedrich pulled off a double steal. Mitchell then was able to score from third base on a sacrifice fly by Audrina Urwin to put East ahead 2-0.
After stranding two runners in the second inning, the Chieftains plated three runs in the third for a 5-0 lead. Emma Friedrich ran again for McMurtry. She moved to second on a passed ball before scoring on a single to left field by Urwin for the 3-0 lead.
Urwin, who also pitched the final two innings, advanced to second base on the throw home and stole third base before scoring East’s fourth run on a throwing error by Central pitcher Edie Titus who was trying to get throw Urwin out at home.
That throwing error allowed Cota Barmore to advance to second after reaching base on the fielder’s choice. Barmore eventually scored on a double to left-center by Peyton Luderman for a 5-0 lead.
While McMurtry would have preferred to see a few pitches instead of being intentionally walked twice, she and Onken both understand the strategy.
“It’s definitely frustrating when they intentionally walk you, but it’s a compliment, really,” McMurtry said.
Onken agreed.
“Yes, that happens quite a bit,” Onken said. “But again, it’s a respect thing. I get that. I’ve done the same thing on the other side more than once.”
East scored the final three runs needed in the fourth inning to end the game early after the Eagles weren’t able to score in the top of the sixth.
With her fastest pitches reaching 67 mph this fall, along with her batting average again remaining north of .400 — McMurtry hit .450 last season with a school record 12 home runs — Onken said things are progressing with McMurtry and her teammates as they worked toward their goal of qualifying for the Oct. 16-18 state tournament in Hastings.
“She was probably our top hitter last year as a sophomore,” Onken said. “A big piece of that is she’s just a hard out because she doesn’t strike out very often. She either puts the ball in play or she walks, so you know something’s going to happen when she’s up there.
“Alisha is also quick and fast and can steal if we ever let her run.”
Central catcher Mackenzie Simpson was 2-for-2 with a pair of singles, and shortstop Ada Jantzen led off the fourth inning with a triple to left-center field. Jantzen was intentionally walked in her fifth inning at-bat after the triple.
Omaha Central (13-11)…000 00 — 0 2 1
Bellevue East (15-6)…203 3x — 8 7 0
W-Alisha McMurtry. L-Edie Titus. 2B-BE, Madisyn Mitchell, Karleigh Rowley. 3B-OC, Ada Jantzen. A-150 (est.).
Photos: All-Nebraska softball teams through the years
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