Lady Lions win sectional; advance to districts

     PORTSMOUTH - The Fairfield Lady Lions blanked the Portsmouth Notre Dame Lady Titans (14-10, 10-3 SOC) by a score of 3-0 in the SE District Sectional championship game Saturday afternoon at the Notre Dame High School in Portsmouth.

    "This was a classic fast pitch softball game featuring two young but talented pitchers," FHS assistant coach Tom Purtell said.  

    Notre Dame’s freshman pitcher Miranda Pauley pitched well but suffered the loss, while Fairfield’s sophomore pitcher Lauren Larrick threw her second consecutive two-hit shutout in tournament play.  

    "Lauren was brilliant on the mound," Purtell said. "The ladies played an outstanding softball game. Without a doubt, this was their best game of the year."  

    For the second consecutive sectional game, the Lady Lions (15-8, 10-3 SHL) played errorless softball. The FHS offense pressured the Lady Titans the entire game, putting runners in scoring position. Larrick and the Lady Lion defense allowed just a single Lady Titan base runner to advance past first base. 

    Heather Huff led off the game with a single to centerfield and stole second base on the very next pitch. Danielle Butler laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Huff moved to third base. The threat to score first came to a stop by Pauley. The Lady Titan pitcher retired the rest of the Lady Lion batters to end the inning.

    FHS scored one run in the top of the third inning to take a 1-0 lead.  

    Huff, with one out, collected her second base hit in as many at-bats, with the ball sailing the left side of the infield. Huff stole second base, and Butler ripped a double down the left field line to give the Lady Lions their first run of the game.

    The Lady Lions added to their lead in the top of the sixth inning.  Abby Thackston led off the sixth with a single to the left side of the infield. Whitney Hanenkrat laced a double down the right field line, and Thackston went to third base. Larrick bunted into a fielders choice as Thackston was tagged out at the plate. Gabby Boone followed with a single to centerfield to load the bases. Woods singled to right field to knock in Hanenkrat and Courtney Huff, who was pinch running running for Larrick. 

    "Larrick and the defense did an outstanding job of keeping the Lady Titans off the bases," Purtell said.

    The Lady Titans managed to put three runners on base all day.  

    A single by Hannah Shupert in the first inning, a single by Sammy Marting in the third inning, and a base on balls to Katie Kaser in the sixth inning.  

    "The ladies on defense made play after play all throughout the game, but the defensive play of the game came in the bottom of the fourth inning," Purtell said.

    The defensive play mentioned began with the Lady Titans' best hitter Jen Amzen leading off the inning with a fly ball down the right field line. Lady Lion right fielder Kylie Bates raced over to make a diving catch to rob Amzen of a double.

    Larrick made quick work of the Lady Titans in the bottom of the seventh inning, retiring the side in order and giving the Lady Lions their 24th sectional title in the last 32 years. This is also their eighth consecutive sectional championship.

    Leading hitters for the Lady Lions: Heather Huff (3-for-4, one run, three stolen bases), Butler (1-for-3, double, sacrifice bunt, one RBI), Thackston (1-for-4), Hanenkrat (1-for-3, double, one run), Boone (1-for-2, sacrifice bunt) and Woods (1-for-3, two RBI). 

    Larrick (14-8) was the winning pitcher for the Lady Lions throwing her seventh shutout of the season, pitching seven innings. Larrick allowed no runs on two hits and one walk while tallying five strikeouts. 

    The win advances FHS to the SE District semifinal, where they will play the winner of the Eastern Meigs (17-4) and South Gallia (8-12). The semifinal game will be played at Minford High School on Thursday, May 20 at 6 p.m.