Hickman eager for district softball rematch

JEFFERSON CITY — With Thursday's  victory over Rock Bridge behind it, Hickman looks ahead to tonight's Class 4, District 10 Championship game against Jefferson City. The teams will meet at 6 Friday night at Duensing Field in Jefferson City for a spot in sectional competition next week.

The Kewpies have been knocked out the postseason by the Jays two years running. Hickman lost to Jefferson City 3-0 in the 2006 district championship game, and 2-0 in 2007 district title match.

Hickman coach Courtney Haskell said she knows that her team has a test ahead of them going into the Jefferson City game.

"It's going to be tough, it'll be a big challenge for us, but that's part of the game," said Haskell, who plans to stick with what has been working for her team, which is 23-2.

"We need to continue to do the things that we do well, not try more, which means sticking with good pitch selection." Haskell said.

It's likely Haskell won't have too much to worry about in that regard with Kewpies senior pitcher Taylor Cowan. Cowan, who threw a perfect game in the regular season Hickman-Rock Bridge matchup, has been called the "workhorse" of the team. She continues to lead her team on the mound and at bat. Cowan had the only home run in Thursday's game against Rock Bridge.

Hickman's back-to-back losses against Jefferson City have created a strong rivalry between the two teams, and Cowan says she is looking forward to her final opportunity to get passed the Jays.

"We are going to be just as aggressive if not more, because we do have that rivalry and we want the win," she said. "We need to come out strong, come out swinging. We want the win, we want it more."