GIRARD, Kan. — St. Mary's Colgan softball finished the regular season 21-3 with their 10-2 win Tuesday against Girard in a non-league contest at Red Wutke Park.

Colgan scored five runs in the second and then five more in the fifth as Girard scored one in the first and one in the seventh.

Drew Dayton's three-run triple sparked Colgan's five-run second and Bella Ascanio earned the win in the circle with two runs (one earned) on four hits with eight strikeouts and two walks over seven innings. She finished at exactly 100 pitches.

Dayton led the Panthers with three hits and three RBI. Kylee Kretchmar and Callie Lundy each had two hits and Dayton, Addie Morris and Kretchmar each scored two runs.

Autumn Avery, Maddie Coester, Avery Brooks and Addison Bowman each had a hit for the Trojans. Addison Brunk drove in a run and Emilee Hanks and Coester scored the Trojans' runs.

Jaycie Geier took the loss and she allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on nine hits with one strikeout and three walks over five innings. Brilee Black pitched two scoreless innings of relief.

The Panthers head into the postseason having won seven games in a row. They are the No. 2 seed and will draw No. 15 St. Paul at home in the regional quarterfinals.

"I think the last two weeks, we played really good ball," Colgan softball coach Cassie Rhuems said. "Defensively, we're in a really good place compared to where we started and where we are. We've been consistent and I think that they have a lot more confidence in the positions that they're playing and I think B (Ascanio) has a lot more confidence in the kids behind her right now. That's a great thing to see, because my philosophy is that defense wins big games so we need to continue to do that to continue this mountain we're trying to climb."

The Panthers have a mixture of freshmen like Dayton and Morris and experienced juniors like Ascanio and Kretchmar who have played on two state-qualifying teams.

"That's why you play a season," Rhuems said. "You want to help kids try and improve and you want to push them and create expectations for them and give them opportunities in practice to better themselves. That's what we've done with this program and they're sitting in a good place. We just talked about it. They should be very confident in themselves going into next week. I think when you build confidence in kids, they get a little more comfortable, they get a little less stressed and a little less anxious and continue to build that confidence.

"I'm really proud of each and every one of them. They've all improved tremendously and they're a joy to be around. They come every single day to get better and that's just all you can ask for as a coach.

"We're 0-0 right now. Season starts over for everybody and we have to get out there and play like we're capable. We have to show up and do the things we know how to do and control what we can control. Step on the field each time we have an opportunity and go play Colgan softball. I think if we can do that, we're giving ourselves a really good opportunity to be successful."

Girard finished the regular season 8-15 and the Trojans are lined up for the No. 12 seed in their 3A regional.

Colgan 050 050 0 — 10 10 1

Girard 100 000 1 — 2 4 1

Bella Ascanio and Kylee Kretchmar; Jaycie Geier, Brilee Black (6) and Jazmyn Kaufman. W: Ascanio. L: Geier. 2B—SMC: Addie Morris. 3B—SMC: Drew Dayton.

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/