Lady Trojans win in walk-off fashion
Arcanum advances in sectionals
By George Starks 

ARCANUM- Despite four innings of perfect softball and an early 3-0 lead, the Arcanum Lady Trojans were forced to play two extra innings with Tri-County North Monday. 

It took a ninth inning solo homerun by Tara Simpson to keep the Trojans alive in the OHSAA sectional tournament as Arcanum defeated the visiting Panthers, 4-3. 

The Trojan offense set the table in the bottom of the first when Simpson drew a walk, followed by a double off the bat of Libby Stone. 

That was followed by a three run blast to left off the bat of Josie Weaver and Arcanum had the early 3-0 lead as the Trojans collected four hits in the frame. 

Through four innings, pitcher Abby Bruns was perfect, facing 12 batters and putting them right back on the bench, recording seven strikeouts in the process. 

At that point, things were looking good for Arcanum coach Rick Stone. 

“I thought after the first inning, we were going to have a big night at the plate as usual,” said Stone. “Their pitcher shut us down and did a really nice job. We might have had only three or four hits the rest of the game. They (North) fought back. They hit the ball hard against us the first time we played them. Again today, Bruns pitched well and we had solid defense.” 

While things looked good for the Trojans through six frames, it was the seventh that spelled doom in the end. 

With one on and two down, the Panthers offense kicked in and a two out rally was in order as North picked up three more hits that plated three runs gaining a tie, sending the game into extra innings. 

In the bottom of the ninth and two down, Simpson sent a pitch deep to the fence in left field for an inside the park, walk-off homerun that propelled the Trojans into the second round of the tournament. 

“Tara had the big hit that won the game,” Stone stated. “She wasn’t playing up to her standards at the beginning of the year and I knew she was a better ball player than that. I benched her one game and that lit her up a little bit and she’s been phenomenal every since and she’s playing ball the way I know she’s capable of playing. With her speed, once the ball got by the outfielder, I knew she was going to score. She has a great attitude and comes to play every day.” 

With a 15-5 record, the Trojans will play tonight at Springfield Northeastern in the second round.