Instant classic: Bakich's hit lifts Southland to win in Tri-County finals

Photo by Michael Buhler/Special to the DDD
Southland's Darcy McMinn (right) is congratulated by her coach and father, Johnny McMinn after scoring the winning run against Campbell in the bottom of the eighth inning of Wednesday's Tri-County Conference Tournament championship game at Clarkton.

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"I was hoping I didn't strike out," Bakich said with a laugh.

She didn't. Bakich's single with no one out in the eighth scored Darcy McMinn with the game's lone run to give the Southland Lady Rebels a 1-0 win over Campbell in the finals of the Tri-County Conference Tournament here Wednesday.

"It's great that it was the two seniors," said Southland coach Johnny McMinn. "The only two seniors that I have are the ones that get on base and the one that drives in the run. That makes it fantastic and a great cap to their senior year."

With the win, Southland keeps its record perfect at 14-0.

"It doesn't matter what the sport is -- if you go undefeated in any sport, that feels fantastic," coach McMinn said. "I've got a great, great group of girls. I only have 11 and every one of them are not only good athletes, but they're great kids as well."

Darcy McMinn led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk, then stole second to set up Bakich's big hit.

"It feels amazing, especially since it's our senior year," Darcy said. "We've been in the conference almost at the end all these times and finally winning it makes it great."

Both pitchers were dominant Wednesday, as neither Southland hurler Jordan Zolman nor Lady Camels' pitcher Mackenzie Knotts allowed a runner past second until the bottom of the sixth inning.

"She knows how to change it up, especially with her changeup," said Darcy of Knotts. "It throws us all off."

In the bottom of the sixth, Bakich reached on an error and advanced to third but was stranded there at the end of the inning.

The Lady Rebels almost won the game in the bottom of the seventh inning when Savannah Bridges reached on an error with one out and advanced to third. However, Bridges was thrown out trying to score.

Zolman picked up the win in the circle for the Lady Rebels, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out 13 to pick up the eight-inning shutout.

"She's made the difference this year," coach McMinn said. "There's no doubt. It's hard to win every game -- period -- but when you have a pitcher that leaves you in the game, that's where your stars begin to shine. That's what we had happen today."

Zolman also had the Lady Rebels' other hit Wednesday.

Knotts, Bobbi Corder and Donaldson had Campbell's hits on the day.