Kim North RUNNERS UP — The Madonna softball team finished as Class 1A runner up.

ELM GROVE – Conotton Valley has been the class of the OVAC Class 1A softball field for more than half-a-decade. Nothing changed Saturday afternoon as the No. 2 seed Rockets (14-7) upset top-seeded Madonna (17-4) by a 4-1 count on cloud-covered Lisa’s Field at the I-470 J.B. Chambers Complex.

With the victory, Conotton Valley has now won six consecutive Class 1A championships, defeating Madonna in two of the last three seasons.

Madison Kelley struck out 13, walked just one and spaced out seven hits in igniting the Rockets. She also singled, doubled and was walked twice – once intentionally.

“Their pitcher is a stud. She’s an excellent pitcher,” Madonna head coach Jason Backel said. “I’m happy with the way our girls played. We put the ball in play. We had a couple of little miscues, but other than that, I’m very proud of these girls.

“That’s probably the closest game they’ve had in an OVAC championship game,” Backel continued. “We’re improving every year because our schedule gets tougher every year. I’m glad we got to play Conotton Valley because it will get us ready for the sectional tournament. Not that the OVAC isn’t important to us, but getting to the state tournament is always our top goal.”

The Rockets took a 4-0 lead before the Blue Dons got on the board in the bottom of the fourth.

Kelley doubled off the fence in left with two outs in the top of the first. She would easily score on Delilah Williams’ single through the left side of the infield.

Ashton Walker had a run-producing single in the three-run top of the fourth, while Brooklyn Kelley drove in another run with a triple to right-center. The other run scored via Madonna’s two errors.

Losing pitcher Peyton Conley singled thrice to lead the Blue Dons’ seven-hit attack. Madi Owens slugged a triple. Rylee Birkhimer was credited with an RBI when Owens raced home on the back-end of a double steal in the bottom of the fourth.

Madonna also left the bases loaded in the fifth.