The Salisbury Lady Panthers were hoping to reach the Class 1 softball state title game for the third year in a row, but they came up one run and one win shy, losing a semifinal-round contest 5-4 to Vienna Wednesday at Salisbury.

Vienna was never ahead in the contest until the top of the seventh inning. It finished off its come-from-behind victory when winning pitcher Marcee Messersmith led off the final frame with a homer to make in 4-4; and one out later, Gabby Wilkinson added another solo blast to provide the difference in the contest.

Salisbury had just taken the lead in the bottom of the sixth on Brooke Bartholomew’s bases-empty homer.

Salisbury grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second, scoring those runs on just one hit as Vienna was guilty of some shoddy infield defense.

The visiting Lady Eagles bounced back to tie it 3-3 by scoring twice in the third and once in the fourth.

Salisbury missed out on chances for more runs midway through the game. Good Vienna defense and lackluster Salisbury base running kept the Lady Panthers from scoring after having the bases loaded and no outs in the fifth. Also, Salisbury’s three-run third ended abruptly when the home team had a girl thrown out at the plate by the Vienna center fielder.

Vienna had five runs on seven hits and Salisbury banged out four runs on six hits. Both sides made three errors. Kadence George and
Messersmith both singled and homered for the winners.

Bartholomew singled and homered for Salisbury, driving in two of its runs. The Lady Panthers’ sophomore left-hander Jaden Howard took the loss despite fanning 12 batters.

Salisbury ends its year at 21-7, while Vienna improves to 21-4.

The Lady Eagles now play Jefferson/Conception Junction for the Class 1 state title on Saturday at Springfield.