Mt. Pleasant softball fights to the end

KEOKUK — The Mt. Pleasant softball team entered Thursday night’s Class 4A Region 4 softball opener against Keokuk as a heavy underdog, but they were a dog with a lot of fight left in them.

After getting blown out by Keokuk four times in the regular season, Mt. Pleasant nearly upset the hosting Chiefs, but in the end fell 6-5 on a walk-off single by Keokuk freshman Makayla Altgilbers.

“It's heartbreaking in the end, because the kids worked hard,” said Mt. Pleasant head coach Mike Beason. “We believe in them, and they mean a lot to us.”

The Panthers packed a big punch early. After a scoreless first inning, Mt. Pleasant scored four runs in the top of the second. Grace Kelley delivered a two-RBI double to open the scoring, and Savana Walls knocked one in on an RBI single, which eventually brought Kelley in as well on an errant Keokuk throw.

Now battling back from a 4-0 deficit, Keokuk began to chip away. The Chiefs scored one run in the bottom of the second and two in the third to cut the Mt. Pleasant advantage to 4-3.

The Panthers added one run in the top of the fourth on an Emma Starr groundout, but Keokuk tied it with two in the bottom half of the fourth and Mt. Pleasant never scored again.

Mt. Pleasant had plenty of opportunities to add on to their run total throughout the game, but hard hit balls seemed to be destined for Keokuk gloves. One such example came in the top of the fourth when Jersey Bechy lined a potential two-run base hit to left with a pair in scoring position, but the ball was caught on the run and a runner was doubled up at third to end the half inning.

“I thought it was down,” said Beason.“ She just smoked it so hard it carried to the outfield.”

Walls finished the night 3-for-4 with an RBI. Kelley was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and Starr went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Madison Helling threw 6 2/3rds innings and gave up six runs (three earned) on 10 hits and five walks, while striking out two batters.

Mt. Pleasant ended its softball season 1-37. Keokuk was knocked out by Fairfield two days later.