Madi Doty Dominates: Grandview Zebras Top Columbus 9-3 in Region Semifinal

Concordia University in Austin hosted a Region 3 vs. Region 4 UIL softball semifinal matchup, and the Grandview Zebras wasted no time making a statement against the Columbus Lady Cardinals.

Grandview jumped on Columbus starting pitcher Presley Drozd early, plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Ally May's base hit up the middle scored Kenna Collins for the game's first run, and the Zebras kept the line moving from there.

Then came Madi Doty. The University of Texas signee stepped to the plate and launched a towering three-run homer to dead center, pushing Grandview's lead to 5-0 before Columbus could record three outs in the first inning. Doty wasn't done at the plate — later in the game with the Zebras ahead 7-0, she drove one deep to right, only to be robbed by Columbus right fielder Kaylea McCarthy, who made a sharp running catch near the wall.

In the circle, Doty was equally dominant. She carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning while piling up double-digit strikeouts. Columbus finally broke through when Emma Beauchamp and Allie Cranek hit back-to-back singles, and Peyton Drozd followed with a two-run single to make it 9-2. An errant pickoff throw later allowed Averie Miller to score, cutting the deficit to 9-3.

Doty closed it out herself, recording the final out on a strikeout. Grandview wins Game 1, 9-3, with the Region 3 champion showing exactly why they earned that title.