CASTLEWOOD CLIPS S/M; TRAPPERS TO PLAY FOR 3RD

A four-run bottom of the sixth made the difference in what was an otherwise tight battle as Castlewood edged Scotland/Menno 5-3 in the semifinals of the 2024 State Softball Tournament in Aberdeen Friday afternoon.

The Trappers had broken a 1-1 tie in the top of the sixth when Olivia Binde scored from third after Grace Robb reached on an error, and took a 2-1 lead into the bottom half of the frame. That’s when the Warriors rallied. After two singles and a walk put runners in scoring position, Castlewood tied the game on a wild pitch and then took a 3-2 lead on an error. Another error and another passed ball plated two more runs for the Warriors to give the defending Class B champions a 5-2 lead going into the final inning.

But Scotland/Menno tried to rally.

Three consecutive singles — the third a bunt in which Nora Robb beat the throw to first — loaded the bases with nobody out, and Amanda Rames scored on a single by Olivia Binde that made it 5-3. And with the bases still loaded, Trinity Bietz, the team’s leading RBI hitter, came to bat.

But Bietz popped out to the pitcher and Robb struck out on Scotland/Menno’s next plate appearance, and that was that.

Scotland/Menno (13-5) will play No. 2 Alcester-Hudson (19-7) for third place at 3 p.m. Saturday and No. 1 Castlewood (17-4) will play No. 3 Chester (19-1)  for the Class B championship at 5:30 p.m.