Lady Lions' season comes to sudden close in district semifinals

MINFORD — The No. 1 seeded Fairfield Lady Lions had their season come to a sudden and surprising close in the Division IV SE DIstrict Semifinals, falling to Waterford by a 4-3 score.

The Lady Lions, who were district champions last season, were the favorites going into this game, winning 17 of the 21 games they played before Thursday, including a Southern Hills Athletic Conference record of 10-2 and winning the championship.

But a longer tournament run for the Lady Lions just wasn't in the books.

"We have great respect for Waterford," FHS assistant head coach Tom Purtell said. "Our plan was score runs early and get ahead. If we could have done that, it would have been a different game for us.

"Their (WHS) pitcher threw strikes, and we were too anxious at the plate."

The Lady Lions (17-5) finished with six hits, as they scored their three runs with two in the bottom of the third and one final run for the season in the bottom half of the fourth.

It was Waterford who scored first, with that first run of the game coming in the top of the third.

It began with Page McCutchen reaching first with an infield single near the shortstop. She took second base on a passed ball. With two outs, Nicole Neslein doubled to left field, scoring McCutchen for the 1-0 lead.

FHS responded in their half of the third with two runs, taking a 2-1 advantage.

The inning began for the Lady Lions with Kourtnie Smith taking first on a base hit. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Justice Hattan. Smith raced to third on another sacrifice bunt, this one by Grace Larrick.

As FHS had two outs, they didn't sweat. They proceeded to tie the score with an infield base hit by Kaitlin Evans, followed by a double to the centerfield fence by Shelby Smithson for the 2-1 advantage, as her hit brought Evans around the bases.

The Lady Lions' lead didn't last long, with Waterford tying the score at 2-2 when Chelsey Streight (who reached the bases after being hit by a pitch) scored on a two-out, line drive single to right field by McCutchen.

Again, the Lady Lions didn't crumble, as they regained their lead with one run in the fourth inning for a 3-2 advantage. Halie Chain was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and Carly Arnold replaced her as a pinch runner.

Arnold took second base on an infield single by Shaylee Carson, and the bases were loaded when Smith was hit by a pitch. With two outs, Larrick hit a slap bunt infield single, racing down the first base line as Arnold scored what was then the go-ahead run.

Waterford, like the Lady Lions, didn't back down either and took the lead for good in the top of the fifth inning, scoring two runs and forcing FHS to make a pitching change with one out.

WHS opened the fifth with a walk by Lakin Tolson. She stole second base and after reaching third eventually scored on a wild pitch. Neslein eventually scored on a ground out by Laura Hill for what was the game-winning run and RBI.

That run also forced FHS starting pitcher Arica Melson out of the game, as she pitched 4.1 innings for the loss. Melson, who won 14 games this year as the ace of the Lady Lions, allowed four runs on four hits, one walk and two hit batters.

"Arica didn't have one of her better days, but that happens," Purtell said. "She's been a great pitcher for us all season, and credit Waterford, they had the timely hits."

Makayla Coleman pitched in relief for FHS. She went 2.2 innings, allowing no runs on no hits and one walk.

As for the FHS offense in the final three innings, they reached base just once in that time frame, as Carson reached first with a lead-off infield base hit in the sixth. FHS was retired the next six straight at-bats in the sixth and seventh innings.

"We liked our chances going into the bottom of the seventh, but they (WHS) made a couple good plays and had players in the right position," Purtell said. "We can't fault our kids, they played hard.

"It just wasn't our day, and we all know you can't have an off day in the tournament."

The winning pitcher was Hill, who pitched all seven innings. Hill allowed three runs on six hits and no walks. She struck out five, including one for the final out of the game.

Purtell spoke about the seniors and the team.

"This was one of our better groups we've had, and the seniors were the ones who led," he said. "Shelby (Smithson) leaves our program with 15 home runs (the all-time leader at FHS) and was just the second player to have over 100 RBIs for a career.

"Halie Chain stepped up this season, and we never had to worry with her behind the plate. Cynnamon Sova-Davy had big hits this season, and Makayla Coleman, I can't say enough good things about her. She was a four-year varsity player and came into this game and shut the door. She was outstanding.

"Taylor Avedisian came into games this season as a pinch runner, and she did well for us. I also want to thank the fans who made the trip. I wish we could have played better, and this season ended too soon."

Waterford will play Paint Valley for the district championship on Saturday.