Lady Lions move to districts, win sectional crown
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
LEESBURG — Though the Fairfield Lady Lions scored just one run, it proved to be just enough to win a Division IV SE District Sectional title, as FHS defeated the South Webster Lady Jeeps 1-0 Saturday at FHS as the Lady Lions claimed their 26th sectional title.
The lone Fairfield (17-9) run came in the fourth inning with Whitney Hanenkrat leading off the inning with a walk. Lauren Larrick moved Hanenkrat to second base with a sacrifice bunt to third. With one out, Hanenkrat scored on a double by Halie Chain (1-for-3) for the only run of the game, leading FHS to their 11th consecutive sectional title.
"We played small ball (Saturday), and that got away from us some this season, and we're trying to get back to that," FHS head coach Matthew Zimmerman said. "Our defense made plays we needed, and we just have to hit better the next game."
As for a majority of the game … it was mostly a pitchers' duel between Larrick and South Webster's Brittany Ellifrit as both pitchers combined to allow eight hits, and three walks, as they struck out 15.
Larrick (17-7) was the winning pitcher as she pitched a complete seven innings, allowing no runs on three hits and no walks, while finishing with eight strikeouts as she faced 26 batters.
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"Lauren pitched well," Zimmerman said.
The loss went to Ellifrit (8-6) as she pitched six innings for the Lady Jeeps. She allowed one run (earned) on five hits and three walks. She finished with seven strikeouts.
FHS had opportunities to have more runs in the game but were unable to bring them across home plate.
"The girls had the confidence they were going to win, and that's what we need this time of year," FHS assistant coach Tom Purtell said.
In the second inning, Larrick (2-for-2) singled but was eventually stranded at third base. In the third, Taylor Butler (1-for-3), who singled to lead off the inning, was left stranded on second base.
The fifth inning saw Kaitlin Evans draw a one-out walk, but she was left standing at second base to end the inning.
In the sixth, Hanenkrat (1-for-2) led off with a base hit, followed by a single from Larrick. A sacrifice bunt by Sirenity Smith moved the runners over, and the bases were loaded with a two-out walk by Cynnamon Sova-Davy. All three runners were left on the bases with a ground out to the pitcher.
FHS moves to the Division IV DE District semifinals as they will face the South Gallia Lady Rebels (8-13) on Thursday, May 17 at 6 p.m. at Minford High School.
BOX SCORE
SWHS 000 000 0 — 0 3 0
FHS 000 100 x — 1 5 3
The lone Fairfield (17-9) run came in the fourth inning with Whitney Hanenkrat leading off the inning with a walk. Lauren Larrick moved Hanenkrat to second base with a sacrifice bunt to third. With one out, Hanenkrat scored on a double by Halie Chain (1-for-3) for the only run of the game, leading FHS to their 11th consecutive sectional title.
"We played small ball (Saturday), and that got away from us some this season, and we're trying to get back to that," FHS head coach Matthew Zimmerman said. "Our defense made plays we needed, and we just have to hit better the next game."
As for a majority of the game … it was mostly a pitchers' duel between Larrick and South Webster's Brittany Ellifrit as both pitchers combined to allow eight hits, and three walks, as they struck out 15.
Larrick (17-7) was the winning pitcher as she pitched a complete seven innings, allowing no runs on three hits and no walks, while finishing with eight strikeouts as she faced 26 batters.
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"Lauren pitched well," Zimmerman said.
The loss went to Ellifrit (8-6) as she pitched six innings for the Lady Jeeps. She allowed one run (earned) on five hits and three walks. She finished with seven strikeouts.
FHS had opportunities to have more runs in the game but were unable to bring them across home plate.
"The girls had the confidence they were going to win, and that's what we need this time of year," FHS assistant coach Tom Purtell said.
In the second inning, Larrick (2-for-2) singled but was eventually stranded at third base. In the third, Taylor Butler (1-for-3), who singled to lead off the inning, was left stranded on second base.
The fifth inning saw Kaitlin Evans draw a one-out walk, but she was left standing at second base to end the inning.
In the sixth, Hanenkrat (1-for-2) led off with a base hit, followed by a single from Larrick. A sacrifice bunt by Sirenity Smith moved the runners over, and the bases were loaded with a two-out walk by Cynnamon Sova-Davy. All three runners were left on the bases with a ground out to the pitcher.
FHS moves to the Division IV DE District semifinals as they will face the South Gallia Lady Rebels (8-13) on Thursday, May 17 at 6 p.m. at Minford High School.
BOX SCORE
SWHS 000 000 0 — 0 3 0
FHS 000 100 x — 1 5 3