|
|
Greenville
senior Kate McDermitt takes a ground ball at first in a
recent practice at Stebbins Field. McDermitt is the
DP for the Wave and
had a big run batted in the the third inning of the Wave win over
Western Brown. CNO File Photo
|
|
Third inning
outburst propels Greenville
Lady Wave set for regional title
By George Starks
MASON- From the time the OHSAA softball tournament started, Greenville
Coach Jerrod Newland spoke of the magic number.
In the beginning, it was seven to win the state. In all honesty, it’s
one. One win at a time because one loss means it’s over.
Thursday, the Lady Wave kept that number at one.
A third inning, six run outburst set the table for Greenville’s 9-1
thumping of Western Brown in the D-II regional semi-finals.
Highlighted by a two run rbi double from senior Kelly Martin and two
Bronco errors, Greenville sent 10 batters to the table and the Wave
feasted, scoring six times with four of those runs being unearned.
“It was a great day out here,” said Newland after the game.
Taking advantage of mistakes made by the opposition is a trademark of
Newland and Thursday was no different.
After a monumental at bat from Haley Luce in the eighth spot in the
line-up, Luce worked Western Brown starter Morgan Nickel for a walk.
That’s when the fireworks began.
Brionna Greer put down a bunt that was misplayed, allowing Greer to
reach and the Wave was in business with two on and no one out.
Paige Wolter followed with an RBI single then senior shortstop, Kelly
Martin stepped up. Martin, hitting .402, ripped a double that scored
Greer and Wolter putting the Wave up 3-0.
After Kayla Harshbarger flied out to right, Martin took third and would
eventually score on a throw from the catcher in a pick off attempt.
Ashley Hanes would reach after being hit by a pitch, followed by a
single off the bat of Erin Albright. Both Hanes and Albright would
score and Greenville had a commanding 6-0 lead.
“We got an eight or nine pitch at bat from Luce right from the git-go,”
said Newland. “Greer came up and just put the ball into play and they
booted the ball around and we had two on. We had the opportunity to
move them around and the big senior (Wolter) got a single and it’s 1-0
Greenville.”
Of the nine runs plated by Greenville, five were unearned as Greenville
added three more in the sixth, again taking advantage of Western Brown
miscues.
“We took advantage of them but they came out and put the pressure on
us,” Newland said. “To be honest with you, it was a sloppy game on our
part. We didn’t make some plays and kids were a little tentative out
there a couple of times. But a 9-1 win in a regional semi-final is
pretty crazy to go to the elite eight.”
On offense, the Wave collected only six hits on the day while Hanes
went six innings, allowing just five hits and no runs.
Today, the Wave will battle Germantown Valley View for the right to go
to Akron and an appearance in the state semi-finals. The game starts at
noon at Mason.
The last time the Spartans were in the regional finals was 1979, when
they went on to be state runner-up.
“They are a pretty solid team and 1979 was the year I was born so
that’s been a while ago,” Newland said. “I say if we play them five
times, we’ll win four. I think Lady Wave nation is going to be ready to
roll today.”
Valley View will come into today’s game with a 17-8 record.
|
|
|
|
