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DIVISION III SOFTBALL: Pershing County beats Lincoln County twice for championship

Lincoln County’s softball team needed just one win to complete a state three-peat and send retiring coach Pat Kelley off in style.

The Lynx, in uncharacteristic form, weren’t able to earn a victory on Saturday.

Pershing County finished with a combined 29 hits in two games, and the Mustangs knocked off the two-time defending Division III state champs 7-5 in the second game of the state final at Shadow Mountain in Sparks.

Pershing County defeated the Lynx 13-0 earlier in the day to set up the deciding game.

Erica Holland scored the go-ahead run from second base in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Itatty Espinoza. Pershing County (32-5) then added an insurance run in the top of the seventh. And the Lynx couldn’t find any offense late.

Espinoza, Taryn Houston and Bailey Wanner each doubled for Pershing County, which had 13 hits.

Mustangs’ pitcher Colbey Wanner threw two complete games and had 13 strikeouts. She struck out seven in the second game.

Kia Phillips doubled and tripled for the Lynx, and teammates Josie Burgess and Cameron Lloyd each added a double.

In the opener, Lloyd also tripled for Lincoln County.

Espinoza was 3-for-4 with a home run for Pershing County. Holland added a double for the Mustangs, who led 8-0 after three innings.

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