Layla Ogden slams walk-off homer to send South Warren to state tournament semifinals
LEXINGTON, Ky. – South Warren softball is semifinal bound in the state tournament after taking down Madison Central 4-3 in extra innings in the quarterfinals at John Cropp Stadium.
Senior Layla Ogden delivered a walk-off two-run homer at the bottom of the eighth to secure the spot and continue an undefeated season for her squad.
“I actually thought I just popped it up.” Ogden said. “I turned second base and I’m like, ‘There’s no way that I just hit that ball.’ And I was in full tears because I knew it wasn’t over for us. I’m going to put every team against our team, and I know we’re going to come out with a win.”
“Layla presents herself very confident and it’s intimidating to a pitcher,” head coach Kelly Reynolds said. “I just think Layla had full confidence in herself, and I think it showed, and she did exactly what she needed to do.”
But before the celebrations, the Lady Spartans had to battle through one of the closest games they’ve had all season.
The Lady Indians brought a fight to Lexington, taking the lead first at the top of the third, which was the first run allowed in a game by the Lady Spartans in nearly a month.
South’s hits just couldn’t seem to fall in the right spots, until the bottom of the fifth inning when it took the lead with two runs, courtesy of Hadley Borders and Parker Willoughby.
But Madison Central would not go away, tying the game up at two in the top of the sixth inning. When the Lady Indians homered at the top of the eighth inning, it was a team effort to stay locked in and confident that this squad had what it takes to win.
“They did a great job, and I think a lot of that goes to our seniors,” Reynolds said. “Even in the dugout, they were staying calm, which then keeps everybody else calm. I try to stay calm for them and just be the encourager.”
“I think a couple of years ago we may have crumbled in this situation,” senior Parker Willoughby said. “I think we’ve grown, and we’ve matured a lot as people. We’re playing selfless ball right now and we’re playing for each other.”
While the Lady Spartans are familiar with the state semifinals, they are not familiar with the state championship.
On Friday, June 12th, they’ll be playing to make that title game for the first time in program history.
First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. at John Cropp Stadium against the Highlands Bluebirds.
