Lady Indians end season against Washington
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
WASHINGTON C.H. - The improved Hillsboro Lady Indian softball season came to an end Saturday afternoon in Washington C.H. Unable to overcome a three-run inning by the Lady Blue Lions, Hillsboro's season ended with a 4-2 loss.
The previous night in Hillsboro, the Lady Indians lost its final South Central Ohio League game to the same Lady Blue Lions 5-4.
"We improved from last year, and in the last several games the team played well and were ready for the tournament," HHS head coach Krista George said. "We had a well-played game, but giving up three runs in two innings hurt."
On Saturday in the Division II SE District opening round game, the No. 9 seeded Lady Indians were first to score as they added a run in the top of the first inning.
Paij Shelton, with a two strike count, started the inning by taking advantage of the Washington defensive miscues, reaching first on an error by the shortstop. Sara Ray followed with a sacrifice bunt as Shelton advanced to third base. Heather Storer batted home Shelton with a ground out to first base for the RBI. Jenni Middleton forced a two-out walk in the inning but was stranded on the bases.
Washington answered in its half of the second inning with one run to tie the game.
Chelsey Stevenson reached with a single as she was down in the count at 0-2. Sara Lentz drew a one-out walk, as did teammate Hayes. After Washington loaded the bases, Greer hit an RBI single to center field, scoring Stevenson.
The game changed in the bottom of the fourth when the Lady Blue Lions scored two times, taking a 3-1 advantage.
Lentz forced a one-out walk to give Washington its first base runner of the inning. Lentz was replaced on the bases by Katie Lachet. Lachet, who took second as Hayes forced a walk, scored when Taylor Cockerill grounded out to second base for the RBI.
The second run of the inning came when Taylor Shears singled to left field, allowing Hayes to put Washington up 3-1.
HHS answered with one run of the fifth. The run turned out to be the final Lady Indian run of the season.
With one out, Ray reached first on a infield single. Ray took second on a passed ball and third on a ground out to the pitcher by Storer. Middleton singled in Ray for the aforementioned run.
Washington scored its final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Shannon Plumblee began the inning with an infield single. The ball would have rolled into the outfield for extra bases, but a diving stop by Middleton at shortstop kept the ball in the infield.
Kelsey Davis followed Plumblee's single with a two-base hit. Plumblee scored on a wild pitch at the plate, as the throw home was dropped.
In the sixth, Kaelee Sexton drew a two-out walk but was left stranded on the bases. In the seventh, with one out, Ray singled to center field, but Lentz forced the final two out with a swinging strikeout and a fly out to right field to finish the Lady Indians' season.
In the second inning, HHS left Kayla Deatley on second base. Deatley singled to lead-off the inning and took second on a sacrifice bunt by Kaelee Sexton. In the third, the Lady Tribe had singles from Storer and Middleton. Sexton walked in the fourth inning.
HHS finishes the season at 6-17 overall, saying goodbye to seven seniors. Seniors included: Kayla Rosselott, Heather Storer, Reed, Kaelee Sexton, Paij Shelton, Jen Williams and Miranda Frump.
"We will miss the seniors," George said. "The kids played hard together."
Lentz earned the win for Washington. She pitched seven innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks. Lentz struck out three.
Rosselott was charged with the loss. She pitched six innings in the circle, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits and three walks. Rosselott had one strikeout.
"Kayla (Rosselott) pitched unbelievable this season," George said. "She did quite a job. She struck out a lot of batters this year and didn't give up many hits."
BOX SCORE
HHS 100 010 0 - 2
WCH 001 210 x - 4
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