FRONTENAC, Kan. — Frontenac softball pushed across 54 runs over three regional tournament games and generated the three-game average with an 18-8 run-rule win in six innings Thursday night against West Franklin at the Raider Sports Complex.

The Raiders scored one run in the first, two in the second, three in the third, four in the fourth and eight in the sixth to put away West Franklin after the Falcons led early on 4-1 and trailed 10-8 entering the sixth.

Hadley Goodwin hit a two-run home run, Addison VanBeceleare cleared the bases with her triple, Mia Bloom added a two-run double and Gracen McLaren delivered the walk-off hit during the big finale.

Ace Ogle earned the win with seven runs on seven hits and six strikeouts and four walks over five innings.

The Raiders, two-time defending Class 3A state champions, graduated seven seniors from a powerhouse squad and their veteran head coach Cassie Rhuems left for the job at rival St. Mary's Colgan.

Frontenac opened its season with 6-4 and 7-3 losses against Colgan, but the Raiders have been 21-2 since then with their only losses against Missouri Class 2 state qualifier Mount Vernon and Kansas 4A state qualifier Fort Scott.

"It's just been wonderful," Frontenac softball coach Jess Murphy said. "We started out 0-2 and went on a 15-game win streak. These girls have had it in them the whole time. Then, to run through regionals if I'm not mistaken with three run-rule wins, these bats are on fire. Man, it's been a great run.

"I agree ... these girls, I tell you, they come to work every day. They work hard and take a couple hundred cuts in the indoor every day. We come out here and we field ground balls and hope just a few balls are hit to us. These girls, they understand their role in the lineup and when they get in the box, it's just a free-for-all. Man, they're good at it.

"One hundred percent, don't give up. Our offense is good enough ... two runs are never good enough to beat us. It turned out, West Franklin, hats off to them. That pitcher (Zoe Dowd) and that's a good team over there. That's a good win for us.

"Just be us. Coaching 101, don't overcoach. Just do what you got to do and let the girls play."

Greelie McMahan's two-run single in the first and Teegan McArthur's two-run double in the second staked the Falcons with their 4-1 lead, but they could not keep up with Frontenac's offensive pyrotechnics.

Goodwin led Frontenac with three hits and Paige Unruh, Bloom, McLaren, Haydn Goodwin and Rain (most appropriate first name for a day like Thursday) Warren each added two. Bloom filled in for the injured Stevi Likely both in her No. 2 spot in the Raiders order and her defensive spot in center field; Bloom and both Goodwins each scored three runs.

McLaren, Hadley Goodwin and Likely were the only returning starters from last season's juggernaut, and only McLaren and Goodwin brought any significant hitting experience at the high school level.

"Coming down those last few innings, whenever we're only winning by a couple of runs, you have to push through and stay strong emotionally," McLaren said. "The mindset was to push as hard as you can through all the bad weather. Stay strong on the mound and in the field defensively and emotionally. You always have to stay talking in the field. You always have to be vocal.

"He's (Murphy) really stepped up. I didn't have a lot of hope coming in, to be honest, but a lot of kids have stepped up in big positions with big shoes to fill. I'm so proud of everyone.

"It's a great tournament to be in. Love to be there, it's a great competition and great experience for us and we're not losing anyone. That's always a great feeling, too."

The other 3A state qualifiers are Jefferson West (21-6), Silver Lake (25-4), Baxter Springs (17-10), Southeast of Saline (24-1), Haven (27-2), Lakin (15-12) and Colby (21-6).

The Raiders (21-4) are the No. 4 seed and face No. 5 Jefferson West in a 3A state quarterfinal at 2 p.m. Monday at Baker University in Baldwin City.

FRONTENAC 11,

IOLA 1

The Raiders used six runs in the fifth inning to secure the run-rule victory. Paige Unruh's RBI double and RBI singles from Stevi Likely, Gracen McLaren and Rain Warren highlighted the outburst.

Ace Ogle led the offense with three RBI and Warren, Hadley Goodwin, Likely and Haydn Goodwin each had two hits.

Ogle earned the win and she allowed one run (earned) on three hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk over five innings.

Frontenac scored 11 unanswered runs after Iola broke a scoreless stalemate with the first run in the top of the third. The Raiders scored two in the third and three in the fourth to warm up for their big inning.

West Franklin 220 112 — 8 7 2

Frontenac 123 408 — 18 16 0

Zoe Dowd, Teegan McArthur (6) and Taylee McArthur; Ace Ogle, Hadley Goodwin (2), Ogle (3) and Addison VanBecelaere. W: Ogle. L: Dowd. 2B—WF: Tee. McArthur, Taylor Leach; FHS: Haydn Goodwin, Mia Bloom. 3B—FHS: Hay. Goodwin, VanBecelaere. HR—WF: Dowd; FHS: Had. Goodwin.

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Iola 001 00 — 1 3 3

Frontenac 002 36 — 11 12 0

Kinzley Fountain, Haidyn Desmarteau (5) and Kashyn Curry; Ace Ogle and Addison VanBecelaere. W: Ogle. L: Fountain. 2B—IHS: Addi Wacker; FHS: Stevi Likely, Goodwin, Paige Unruh, Ogle.

This sports reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/fund/support-local-journalism-project-fund/