Savannah got Excelsior Springs again in varsity softball.

Taking control early, the Savages downed the Tigers 14-0 in 4½ innings Monday at Miracle Field in Excelsior Springs in the Class 3 District 8 Tournament semifinals. The defeat followed an 11-1 regular-season loss Sept. 30 at Savannah.

The Tigers’ performance Monday “was pretty similar” to the Sept. 30 meeting, according to Excelsior Springs coach Kristal Reeves.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t show up and play the game we wanted to play tonight,” Reeves said. “We’re far better than the team that we put on the field tonight, but I don’t think that that’s going to be the case next year, as we move in with a little bit more experience in big moments.”

Savannah had to do a balancing act in preparing to face Excelsior Springs again, according to Savages coach Rebekah Glenn. Having a stout lineup, the Savages were confident they had the offensive tools to win, Glenn said. But the Savages had to approach the rematch with the mentality that a reg…