WHITING | The "domino effect" can make or break a softball situation.
For Kouts, it made the season on Saturday afternoon, as the Fillies defeated Washington Twp. 5-3 to win their first-ever Class A Whiting Sectional crown.
Senators starter Liz Lustgarten seemingly mowed through the Kouts order, until the third inning.
A walk to shortstop Jenna Jessen sparked a three-run rally with successive hits from Alyse Rosenbaum, Elena Rosenbaum and Kelsey Blood, who went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBIs for the Fillies (13-10).
"Jenna's walk was the start of the domino effect," said Elena, who went 2-for-3 with two runs.
Elena and Blood came through again in the fifth when Rosenbaum singled and scored on Blood's triple. Blood later scored after the throw home sailed over the head of Senators catcher Elaine Lustgarten.
"Kelsey has been a great senior leader," Kouts coach Tim McNeill said. "She works on her own with her dad and has a great attitude."
But just like in Friday's win over Morgan Twp. in the semis, this game wouldn't end without some theatrics.
Down 5-1 in the seventh, Washington Twp. (9-11) tallied two runs and with runners on first and third with two out, McNeill talked to his infield for the second time in the inning.
"The first time I just told them to all relax, but the second time, I told Elena to throw the runner out because too many teams give up second in that situation," McNeill said.
Elena Rosenbaum then threw out Macy Mullins trying to steal second to end the game.
"I was nervous from the throw, but I knew I had to get the job done," Rosenbaum said.
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