By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
It’s hard to lose when your opponent never scores; a lesson the Southeast of Saline softball team took to heart in a pair of shutout victories over Lyons on Thursday that put them one win away from another NCAA title.
Game One: SE of Saline 10, Lyons 0
The opener had pitchers' duel written all over it as SES led just 3-0 going into the bottom of the fourth, but the Lady Trojan bats got hot, scoring seven and closing out a game one victory in just five innings.
Reese Heinrich and Kimber Ogorzolka each drove in two runs on two hits, leading the charge at the plate for Southeast.
In the circle, Carlee Dye and Madelyn McFadden dominated the Lady Lion lineup, surrendering just two hits and one walk in five innings of shutout ball.
As it has been all season, that pitching was backed up by a phenomenal defensive effort that once again failed to record even a single error in the win.
Game Two: SE of Saline 7, Lyons 0
SES picked up right where they left off in game two, plating two runs in the first, three in the third, and two more in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead.
Lyons would keep any further runs off the board, but would not add any of their own, falling in a second-straight shutout on the day.
In a scorekeeper's nightmare but a coach's delight, 18 different Lady Trojans would take at least one at bat in this game, with Heinrich and Abby Wyatt leading the way this time with two hits each, and Ogorzolka driving in two more runs.
In the circle, Karlee Zurfluh pitched a one-hit masterpiece, recording 14 strikeouts to tie the single-season record (93), issuing just two walks in a complete-game shutout.
With this sweep, the Lady Trojans are one win away from a league title, at 19-3 overall and 10-0 in league play.
Lyons, meanwhile, slides to 4-18 overall and 3-9 in league play.
SES can secure the NCAA crown with one win over Beloit in Monday’s regular season finale.