The Grain Valley softball team had good timing Tuesday – not only with the weather.
The Eagles edged Liberty 3-2 in a weather-shortened game in the first round of Gold Bracket play of the Greater Kansas City Invitational to advance to the tournament’s semifinals.
Freshman pitcher Avery Huffman doubled in the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth inning and completed her four-hitter in the bottom of the fifth before rain and lightning ended the game just as the top of the sixth was starting.
“It’s a big win for us,” first-year Grain Valley coach Garrett Ogle said. “Our youngsters really came through for us. And Avery pitched phenomenally against a very good Liberty team.”
Huffman allowed just four hits, two unearned runs and two walks while striking out five in five innings.
Malia Gutierrez tied the game 2-2 in the third inning with a clutch RBI single. Bri Carter, who went 2-for-2 with a double, drove in the first run in the third.
Alexis Parra went 2-for-3 with a double and BriLeigh Sims had a hit and scored the go-ahead run on Huffman’s double.
The Eagles face Raymore-Peculiar in the championship bracket semifinals at 4 p.m. today at Adair Park’s Field 1.
HARRISONVILLE 14, WILLIAM CHRISMAN 4: The Bears ended the Greater Kansas City Invitational with a 1-3 record as it fell to the Wildcats in four innings in the bronze bracket.
Gracie Ussery was the losing pitcher. Kennedi Goin and Malia Atagi each had a single to assist the offense.