The weather didn't want to cooperate for the entire week, but in the end, the Cottey Comets prevailed in the American Midwest Conference Tournament. Cottey went a perfect 4-0 on the week to capture the Championship, and secure their bid to the NAIA National Tournament.
The opening game of the tournament saw the #4 seeded Comets take on #5 seeded Columbia College. The Comets would score the lone run of the contest on an error in which Halen Hoelzeman would dash home, and would ride the arm of Alyssa Montoya as she pitched a shutout to propel Cottey to the 1-0 victory. Elizabeth Thomas hit a Double for the only extra base hit of the game for the Comets.
Next up was the Regular Season Champions and #1 seed Missouri Baptist. Elizabeth Thomas would get things going for the Comets with a solo Home Run in the 2nd inning, while Amelia Gassman's single in the 3rd inning would give some breathing room for the Comets. Senior Brooke Vicory would pitch a masterpiece, only allowing 2 hits to the Spartans on the way to a shutout 3-0 victory.
In the Winners bracket finals, the Comets took on Central Baptist, walking away with a thrilling 5-4 victory. In what would be the highest scoring game of the tournament, the Comets finally got the offense rolling. Karina Ramirez would have two hits and score two runs, Amelia Gassman would have an RBI double, Lauren Johnson would go 2 for 3 with a Double and a Triple for 2 RBIs, and Alyssa Montoya would add to her pitching duties by getting two hits and scoring a run. Montoya got the start in the circle, going 4 innings and giving up 3 runs. Brooke Vicory would come in for the final three innings, giving up one run over the final three frames. It was a back and forth affair the entire way. Cottey got on the board in the 1st with Gassman's double that scored Ramirez, but CBC would answer back with a 3 run Home Run in the 2nd. The Comets would tie it up in the 4th with Johnson's triple and an error by the Mustangs. In the 5th, the Comets took the lead with a sacrifice fly from Gassman, and a Johnson Double. In the Top of the 6th CBC made it a one run game with a double of their own, making the score 5-4. In the 7th, Vicory would secure the victory by getting two quick ground outs, followed by a final flyout to Aariana Castillo in right field. That win put the Comets one victory away from the tournament title.
In the Finals, the Comets took on Williams Baptist, a team who the Comets struggled against just a few weeks prior. Alyssa Montoya took the mound once again for the Comets, hoping to see Cottey through to the tournament title. In the first inning, Karina Ramirez started things off right with a single, advancing to second on a passed ball. Bailey Cravens sacrifice bunt would move Ramirez to 3rd, and Amelia Gassman's bunt single would score Ramirez to get the Comets on the board first. The Lady Eagles would answer back with a solo Home Run in the top of the 3rd, tying the score at 1-1. Williams Baptist would take a lead an inning later on a 2-out single, taking a 2-1 advantage into the 6th inning. In the bottom of the 6th, Gassman would single as the leadoff batter, with Lauren Johnson hitting a single of her own moving Gassman to 2nd. Elizabeth Thomas' fly ball would result in an error by the Lady Eagles, allowing Gassman to come around and score, moving Johnson to 3rd. Aariana Castillo hit a sac fly to score Johnson and take the 3-2 lead. Montoya struck out the first batter, before forcing two ground outs and capturing the American Midwest Conference Tournament title.
The Comets now await their Opening Round Site location on Tuesday, May 7th, at 4pm. The NAIA Selection Show will go live at https://www.youtube.com/user/PlayNAIA
