Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Mount Vernon players hoist the Class 3A state softball championship trophy on Friday at Rogers Park after topping Davenport Assumption. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Mount Vernon saw something the second time through the lineup against Davenport Assumption here Friday afternoon at Rogers Park.

The rivals played to a scoreless draw through three-plus innings before the top-ranked Mustangs started teeing off.

Mount Vernon recorded three doubles and scored four runs, knocking off the No. 2 Knights and claiming the Class 3A title on Kruger Seeds Field, 10-5.

Last year, it was Assumption besting the Mustangs in the championship game.

Assumption pitcher Bella Nigey retired nine of the first 11 batters she faced. But senior Maia Bentley started the rally with a double. Addison Gookin drove her in, and Kenna Rollinger had a double of her own to score Ashlyn Steen

Avery Plathe plated Rollinger and Lilly See knocked a double to make it 4-0.

In the 2021 title game, Assumption rallied to claim the crown. They tried to do it again this year, but Mount Vernon answered in the fifth with a three-run inning.

Gookin, Steen and Courtney Franck all scored, as pinch-hitter Kameron Brand drove in a run to tie it on a sacrifice fly and See had a two-RBI single for the go-ahead runs.

Bentley provided another insurance run in the sixth and Gookin made sure there would be no comeback with a two-run homer to make it 10-5.

Jenna Sprague, a senior, recorded the final out on a liner with two on. Sprague struck out six for her 27th win of the season.

“We were ready for them this year,” Mount Vernon head coach Robin Brand said. “The girls were excited. I had things ready to say, but they did it for me.

“This was unfinished business for them and they took care of it.”

Mount Vernon has climbed the ladder each year since qualifying in 2019. They were fourth in 2020, second last year and claimed the banner this season in the ninth appearance all-time for the program.

Gookin was 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs and a stolen base, Bentley had two hits, scored twice an drove in another run, and all nine batters reached base, with seven getting at least one hit.

“When you play Assumption, you know what you are going to get,” Brand said. “Our girls knew they had to play their best and that is what they did.”

Davenport Assumption has now placed in the Top-3 each of the past six trips, including four titles. The Knights won three straight from 2017-19.

After falling behind, Assumption answered, scoring five runs in the top of the fifth. Sidney Roe had the big blast, clearing the bases with a three-run homer to make it 5-4. Abby Odean also drove in two runs with a single in the inning.

Leadoff hitter Jessie Wardlow was 3-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base.

MOUNT VERNON 10, DAVENPORT ASSUMPTION 5

Assumption 000 050 0 – 5 8 0

Mt. Vernon 000 433 x – 10 13 0

WP-Jenna Sprague (27-2, 7 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 6 K, 2 BB). LP-Leah Maro (11-6, 1 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 0 K, 1 BB).

HR-DA: Sidney Roe; MV: Addison Gookin. 2B-DA: Bella Nigey; MV: Maia Bentley, Kenna Rollinger, Lilly See, Addison Gookin, Jenna Sprague. RBI-DA: Abby Odean, Sidney Roe (3); MV: Addison Gookin (3), Kenna Rollinger, Avery Plathe, Lilly See (3), Kameron Brand, Maia Bentley. SB-DA: Jessie Wardlow (2); MV: Addison Gookin, Lilly See, Nadia Telecky.