First sectional matchup awaits Portageville

sports@standard-democrat.com

PORTAGEVILLE -- Following their historic run to the Class 2, District 1 championship the Portageville Lady Bulldogs enter uncharted territory this week as they open up play in the state championship bracket.

Portageville will take on St. Pius X today at 4 p.m. in its sectional matchup in Festus.

"We're excited and glad to be here," Lady Bulldog head coach Ashlie Patton said of being in sectionals. "It's been a good fight all the way. There's nerves, but it's good nerves. I think it will keep us on our toes."

In the three years since they moved to the fall softball season the Lady Bulldogs had never been able to beat district rival and Class 2 powerhouse Kelly. This includes three close losses to the Lady Hawks during the regular season this year and a 5-0 loss in last year's district semifinals.

With a two-run home run from freshman Savannah Lovins in this year's title game, however, changed Portageville's fortunes with a 2-0 win that ended Kelly's run of back-to-back final four appearances.

A home run also decided their semifinal meeting with Saxony Lutheran with sophomore Alexis Glidewell hitting a walk-off, two-run blast for a 2-1 win.

They'll need that same clutch hitting they've had so far this postseason against St. Pius though Patton admits not much is known about their opposition.

The Lady Bulldogs come into the contest with a healthy 21-6 record, compared to St. Pius' 13-10 mark.

Both teams needed two games to seal their district championship with Portageville outscoring their opponents a combined 4-1 compared to St. Pius' 13-1 in Class 2, District 2.

"The last couple of games we had started picking up (offensively) and our girls have gotten a better eye for the ball," Patton said. "We've started hitting a little bit better. We don't rely on a lot of small ball. We hope our hitters are going (today) and we'll be good."

While their offense has come around, the Lady Bulldogs will need the same dominance from junior pitcher Taylor Tiffany they've become accustomed to over the past two seasons.

Tiffany struck out the first six batters she faced and surrendered two total hits in the semifinals before coming back and holding the Lady Hawks to three hits and fanning seven.

Tiffany held a no-hitter into the fifth inning of the title game and retired the first 13 hitters she faced.

With most of the area teams having seen Tiffany several times this season already, Patton was pleased this would be the first time St. Pius has gotten a look at her.

"Taylor is on," Patton said. "The team's we've played have gotten used to her a little bit more so they've started hitting her better. But our defense has started to pick up and they've covered what hits the other teams have gotten."

If the Lady Bulldogs can down St. Pius, they'll meet up with the sectional winner of District 3/District 4 on Saturday with a trip to the final four on the line.

"Our strongest point is our defense and if Taylor is on we're good," Patton said about a good start against St. Pius. "Our defense has gotten better the last few games to back her up, but if our hitting is on as well then we should be spot on."