By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
For the second time in as many years, the Chapman softball team is state-bound following a pair of dominant regional wins over Ulysses and Augusta.
This will mark Chapman’s fifth state appearance, and give the Lady Irish a chance to venture into unmarked territory next week.
Game One: Chapman 17, Ulysses 0
Chapman’s semifinal game felt like little more than a formality as the Lady Irish jumped on Ulysses for twelve runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back, cruising to an easy victory.
The Irish added five more in the second before slamming the door shut in yet another shutout win.
While every bat in the order produced at least a run or a run driven in, Kennedy Scholz led the charge with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate, including a towering grand slam to straightaway center.
In the circle, Olivia Harold cruised through the first inning, striking out the side before turning the ball over to Kaylee Livingston.
Livingston picked up right where Harold left off, fanning four of the seven batters she faced en route to a 17-0 win.
This victory moved Chapman to 22-5 while Ulysses' season drew to a close at 7-18.
Game Two: Chapman 6, Augusta 0
The regional final saw more dominance in the circle, this time from Olivia Harold, who went the distance in a complete game shutout.
Harold allowed just three hits and a pair of walks, striking out ten in a seven-inning effort.
At the plate, Chapman scratched across three runs in the first, and another in the second, fourth, and sixth to keep things comfortable by the final inning.
Kennedy Scholz added another home run to her spectacular day, finishing with yet another perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate.
Of the nine members of the Chapman lineup, eight recorded at least one hit in a win that sends the Lady Irish back to state for a second consecutive year.
Chapman, now 23-5, will compete for their first-ever state title next week while Augusta’s campaign comes to a close at 15-11.
You can watch both games of this Chapman regional sweep on-demand any time below.