Sydney Koch is shown waiting for a chance to go from second to third base in the Rams very late semi final game versus Clark. Koch had one of the team's hits, but they lost 4-1, so they will play in the consolation game.

Clarke ends Rams hopes for 3A final

Sue Rieder sports@beeherald.com

The Rams bid to play in the 3A state softball championship game fell short when they were defeated by Clark 4-1 in a game that ended at 12:20 a.m. on Friday morning. The tournament games scheduled for 3:30 p.m. were halted due to rain and lightning, but they were resumed 3 hours and 23 minutes later. Greene County's game that was supposed to start at 7:30 p.m. did not get underway until shortly after 11:00 p.m.

The Rams could only muster four hits as they faced a pitcher who Coach Kennedy thought was the best that the team had seen all year. Clarke pitcher Libby Benis, a Mankato State recruit, struck out 12 Ram batters and only walked one. Benis had a good rise ball, and her change up was extremely effective. Hannah Onken scored Greene County's only run of the game when she blasted a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning. Tressa Rasmussen smacked singles in the second and seventh innings, and Sydney Koch connected for a single in the fifth. Greene County had six base runners, but five of them were stranded on the bags.

Meanwhile, Ram pitcher Marissa Promes had a very good night also. The junior hurler gave up one earned run on six hits, while walking two and striking out five. The Indians won their quarterfinal game 13-0 and had three players batting over .350, so holding them to six hits was quite a feat.

Clarke, who was last year's 3A runner-up, will meet defending champ Bondurant-Farrar in the 3A championship game at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. Greene County will face second ranked East Marshall in the consolation clash at 1:30 p.m.

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