Mercy softball, behind Ava Reinhart, tops Bullitt East in 24th District Tournament final
Mercy Academy softball started fast, but it took nearly 24 hours before the Jaguars won the 24th District Tournament final Thursday at Jeffersontown.
Junior Ava Reinhart hit a two-run home run in the first inning Wednesday to help propel Mercy to a 7-2 win over No. 15 Bullitt East in a game that was delayed by inclement weather.
The title game resumed about 5 p.m. Thursday with one out in the top of the seventh inning. The Jaguars closed out the contest after senior pitcher Maya Merrill induced back-to-back pop-ups.
“When I was going into the box, I was just thinking I had to hit the ball hard somewhere,” Reinhart said. “I knew we had a runner at first, and we were tied at the moment. That first inning is really crucial for us because when we get ahead we have really good momentum going through the game.”
Reinhart’s home run to left field gave the Jaguars a 3-1 lead that they never relinquished.
The draw for the Sixth Region Tournament is set for Friday morning. Mercy (18-13) will host a quarterfinal, and the Chargers (19-7) will open on the road.
The Jaguars are among the state’s hottest teams after defeating the Chargers twice and Ballard.
“Bullitt East is tough. They got some hitters over there,” Mercy coach James Brentlinger said. “I was looking forward to seeing maybe a little more of Mack Mingus, their No. 1 pitcher.”
The Sixth Region foes could square off again in the finals.
Bullitt East coach Bruce Pierce said the Chargers have “a lot of reflection” going into the region tournament.
“Mingus went in after the third inning,” Pierce said. “Mack is a helluva pitcher; (eighth grader) Ryleigh (Watrous) is a helluva pitcher. I had trust and faith no matter which order it was. I knew and believed in both of them.
“They both came out and did their job. I think we just fell short in other areas.”
Brentlinger said the Jaguars are feeling confident, but they “gotta make our run; we gotta get through regionals and get back to the state tournament.”
Reach sports reporter Brooks Warren at bwarren@gannett.com and follow him on X at @Broookksss.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA softball: Mercy defeats Bullitt East in 24th District title game
