North Bay Haven’s softball season ended in the Class 2A state semifinals with a 3-1 loss to Cornerstone Charter Academy Wednesday afternoon.
Tennessee commit Emma Pynes provided the difference for the Lady Ducks with a two-run home run in the third inning, giving Cornerstone a 2-0 lead. The Lady Ducks added another run in the sixth when senior Kenzie Boisvert scored Pynes to extend the advantage to 3-0.
North Bay Haven sophomore pitcher Addison Mallon recorded nine strikeouts while allowing five hits, three runs and two walks. Cornerstone Charter eighth-grader Izzy Choquette struck out 13 batters and allowed two hits, one run and six walks.
“We didn’t have the discipline that we discussed going into the game,” North Bay Haven head coach Butch Bernard said. “We just didn’t stay there and we didn’t have the patience that we needed to.”
Bernard credited Choquette for keeping the Lady Buccaneers uncomfortable throughout the afternoon.
“We just have to give it to the pitcher,” Bernard said. “She was better than what we thought and she certainly did her job.”
The Lady Buccaneers responded in the bottom of the seventh when sophomore McKenzie Goff delivered an RBI double to score Mallon. North Bay Haven later put two runners on base but could not complete the comeback.
“They were locked in defensively and the whole game,” Bernard said.
North Bay Haven graduates Florida State signee Kaylee Goodpaster, West Florida signee Ally Brady and Kalli Stokes.
Goodpaster leaves as Bay County’s all-time home run leader with 47 and finished her varsity career with a .487 batting average, 169 runs scored, 184 hits and 211 RBIs.
“She left her mark on the program, on the state and the panhandle,” Bernard said. “We were fortunate enough to have her since she was in the sixth grade.”
Brady served as North Bay Haven’s leadoff hitter and concluded her career with a .514 batting average, 124 runs, 133 hits and 51 RBIs. In the circle, Brady posted a 4-1 record and recorded 160 strikeouts in 107 innings pitched.
“Brady came along at the right time,” Bernard said. “She certainly proved her worth to the program.”
Stokes, an outfielder, saw limited action at the plate this season but finished her career with a .252 batting average, 39 runs, 29 hits, 20 RBIs and one home run. She also went 3-0 as a pitcher with 48 strikeouts.
“She probably had a career game,” Bernard said. “She set the tone in the very beginning with that diving catch. Then she went back on the fence and got a fly ball there. You can’t ask for any more than what they’ve been doing.”
The Lady Buccaneers finished the season as Class 2A-1 champions and Class 2A Region 1 champions. North Bay Haven scored 223 runs this season, averaging 8.2 runs per game. Mallon finished 19-6 with a 2.63 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 125 innings pitched.
Despite graduating three seniors, Bernard said he is optimistic about the future of the program.
“We’ve got a couple of young pitchers on JV that are doing a great job that we feel like can move up and help support Mallon and eventually be the number one,” Bernard said. “We’ll just take the time to develop and grow.”
Adebanji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: North Bay Haven softball bids farewell to seniors after Final Four loss
Reporting by Adebanji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
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