Class A: Lincoln Southwest's memorable season ends as Gretna pitcher Jensen dazzles
HASTINGS — The Class A No. 2 Lincoln Southwest softball team left it all on the field Thursday.
And still a historic Silver Hawk season ended at the hands of the No. 1-ranked team in the state.
Gretna beat Lincoln Southwest 5-0 late Thursday to qualify for its second championship in three years.
The Dragons started fast on Carlie Muhlbach's two-run single, which fueled a three-run first inning.
"Being at the short end of the stick to a team like that is not a terrible thing," Lincoln Southwest head coach Mitch Ohnoutka said. "They are an incredible softball team. (Alexis) Jensen might be the best pitcher I've seen in high school girls softball. Jordy Bahl (Nebraska high school legend and Husker pitcher), she's in that class.
"1-9 they are a tough out, and Reagan Vokoun did an unbelievable job just keeping us in the game."
Vokoun, a senior for the Silver Hawks, allowed six hits while striking out three.
Lincoln Southwest finished with one hit against Jensen, who struck out 14 in the circle.
"It was (Gretna's) night tonight and not ours," Ohnoutka said. "The senior class, I'm going to miss immensely. They have done everything they possibly can for our school.
"They set the bar pretty high for what we have coming down the road. We've got some pretty good kids around. I'm looking forward to the future of Lincoln Southwest softball."
It may have not been a state title year for the Silver Hawks, but they raised the bar, Ohnoutka said.
Vokoun enjoyed her last high school season after dealing with injury last year. She's cashing in on a deal with her parents, too. Vokoun racked up over 100 strikeouts this season, meaning she'll soon be a proud owner of a Highland cow.
The Silver Hawks senior class went on to earn the school's longest win streak.
"We went through those injuries the last few couple years. Reagan was hurt last year and most of the senior class has been part of the process and holding it together when we did have the people that were hurt," Ohnoutka said. "They have just been amazing leaders and fun kids."
Vokoun, a Central Florida commit, had an all-around stellar year, setting the team's single-season doubles record as a hitter, too. She was key in Southwest's 10-2 win against Millard West earlier Thursday.
"That's one thing that was great," Ohnoutka said. "Our two freshmen Raegan Brandt and Maisey McCarty have already both learned a lot from Reagan this year. She took the time to help them and be with them. It was kind of fun to watch and fun to watch the whole year."
Seniors Vivian Mares-Chippeaux and Emma Dostal also left their marks.
Mares-Chippeaux hit her first grand slam of her high school career against Millard West and Dostal's solo shot helped the Silver Hawks reach the game against Gretna.
"I saw a couple videos this week of watching the entire team celebrate," Ohnoutka said. "As a coach, you want them all to enjoy themselves and remember the moment. We had a lot of times this year where we were able to play with a lot of people. The main thing is they were family and did things together off of softball and became a family. They played for each other, and that's all you can ask for."
Gretna will play Millard North for the Class A crown at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Omaha.
Lincoln Stars/Lincoln Saltdogs reporter
