Liquor Booth Play of the Game: Harshberger’s seventh-inning double lifts Cougars to victory

CANTON, Mo. — Bragging rights on the softball diamond in Lewis County were in limbo when Emma Harshberger stepped to the plate in the top of the seventh inning Monday.

Canton led Highland 5-4, but the Cougars had runners at second and third with two outs after Addy Abell and Olivia Ritterbusch sandwiched a single and double between a groundout and a popout. Harshberger jumped on the first pitch from the Tigers’ Emma Hultz and drove a two-run double to center field for a 6-5 lead.

Ansley Bringer, courtesy running for Harshberger, scored on Payton Miller’s single to enabled Highland to finish off a 7-5 victory.

Harshberger finished 3 for 4 with three RBIs, while also earning the pitching victory. She allowed five runs and seven hits while striking out six and walking four over seven innings. She retired eight of the final 10 batters she faced.

Her go-ahead, seventh-inning, two-run double is the Liquor Booth Play of the Game.