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Portageville softball wins Malden Invitational on Smith’s walk-off home run
MALDEN, Mo. — Portageville emerged victorious at the Malden Invitational Tournament this past weekend, showcasing potent offense and resilient pitching.
The Lady Bulldogs (13-6) strung together a series of impressive wins, culminating in a dramatic walk-off championship victory.
“It was a battle all weekend and I couldn’t have been more proud of our girls,” said Portageville coach Kelsey Snider. “Especially for being out of position and having to battle all day on Saturday.”
The tournament began with a decisive 11-0 win over Greenville (5-7) on Friday.
In five innings, Aubrey Greenwell dominated on the mound, allowing no earned runs on two hits while striking out one.
Mia Scherer fueled the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and scoring three runs.
Portageville continued its dominance with a 13-3 win against Woodland (9-4), also in five innings on Friday.
Greenwell again secured the win, allowing one earned run on six hits with four strikeouts.
Ja’Niya Smith (2-for-2, double, 3 RBIs), Reece Rone (2-for-2, double, 2 RBIs), and Laney Stone (2-for-3, double, RBI) led the offensive charge.
“The girls were able to get the job done hitting and fielding,” Snider said. “Greenville and Woodland each had good pitching but we were disciplined at the plate and waited on the pitch we wanted.
“Reece Rone caught two games on Friday and did a fantastic job,” she continued. “Mia Scherer, Ja’Niya Smith, Briley Weddington, and Kate Murphy all played fantastic in the infield. Karlie Johnson, Laney Stone, and Bryleigh Adams all held their own in the outfield.”
Saturday’s matchup against Bernie (9-8-1) provided a tougher challenge.
Despite trailing 4-2, Portageville rallied in the sixth inning with three runs, powered by Stone’s RBI double and an error.
Greenwell earned a hard-fought complete-game victory, allowing one earned run on five hits with 11 strikeouts. Smith starred at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a triple.
“Bernie has some great hitters and made some great plays in the field,” Snider said
Scherer had to move from third base to catcher, while designated hitter Mackena Swilley had to step in at third base.
“[Scherer] was a beast behind the plate,” Snider said. “[Swilley] made some great plays in the field.”
The championship game against Scott City (10-5) proved to be a thriller.
After a back-and-forth battle, Portageville secured a thrilling 7-6 victory in extra innings.
Smith delivered the decisive blow with a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Greenwell once again delivered a gutsy performance, pitching all nine innings and allowing just two earned runs. Scherer added another strong game, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.
“Greenwell did a fantastic job all weekend long,” Snider concluded. “With some of us being out of position and missing a key bat in the lineup, the girls really stepped up all around.”
Portageville extended their winning streak to five games with a dominant 17-1 win over Gideon on Monday, April 15.
Kate Murphy earned the win with a solid four innings of work.
Smith’s hot hitting continued a second consecutive game with a home run, finishing 2-for-4 with four RBIs and three runs scored.
Portageville will travel to Senath-Hornersville with Southland (6-4-1) on Wednesday, April 17.
PORTAGEVILLE 11, GREENVILLE 0, F/5
| P’Ville | 332 | 03x | x | — | 11 | 8 | 1 |
| G’Ville | 000 | 0x | x | — | 0 | 2 | 2 |
W—Aubrey Greenwell. L—Makayla Hill. 2B—Portageville: Greenwell, Ja’Niya Smith, Laney Stone, Mia Scherer, Reece Rone; Greenville: Hill. 3B—Greenville: Ruthie Greer.
PORTAGEVILLE 13, WOODLAND 3, F/5
| Woodland | 100 | 20x | x | — | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| P’Ville | 416 | 02x | x | — | 13 | 10 | 2 |
W—Aubrey Greenwell. L—Rhodie Long. 2B-Woodland: Mallary Barks 2, Allyssa Davis 2; Portageville: Aubrey Greenwell, Ja’Niya Smith, Laney Stone, Reece Rone.
PORTAGEVILLE 5, BERNIE 4
| P’Ville | 000 | 203 | 0 | — | 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Bernie | 011 | 020 | 0 | — | 4 | 5 | 3 |
W—Aubrey Greenwell. L—Blair Pleiming. 2B—Portageville: Laney Stone. 3B—Portageville: Ja’Niya Smith. HR—Bernie: Alexa Dillinger.
PORTAGEVILLE 7, SCOTT CITY 6, F/9
| S. City | 101 | 201 | 001 | — | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| P’Ville | 004 | 010 | 002 | — | 7 | 8 | 5 |
W—Aubrey Greenwell. L-Mackenzie Lawless. 2B—Scott City: Halie Comer, Lawless. 3B—Portageville: Laney Stone. HR—Portageville: Ja’Niya Smith, Mia Scherer.
PORTAGEVILLE 17, GIDEON 1, F/4
| P’Ville | 337 | 4xx | x | — | 17 | 6 | 0 |
| Gideon | 001 | 0xx | x | — | 1 | 3 | 3 |
W—Kate Murphy. 2B—Portageville: Murphy, Mackena-Lee Swiley. HR—Portageville: Ja’Niya Smith.