Lady Tigers dominate LC in sectional semifinals
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
If it is ever said what you did in the regular season doesn't matter once the postseason begins, one might have been thinking of the 2014 McClain Lady Tigers.
McClain entered their game against the host Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs with just two wins in the regular season.
Following their 20-9 victory in the Division III SE District Sectional Semifinal against the Lady Mustangs, MHS proved that old saying correct.
MHS (3-14) finished with 17 total hits, with Sarah Thompson leading the way at 4-for-5 with four runs and one RBI.
"I told the kids after the game this is the group I have been looking for all season," MHS head coach Ed Boledner said. "We hit 1-9 today, and the energy level we've wanted was there.
"Before the game, we talked about having the attitude the regular-season record meant nothing, and we are 0-0 now in the postseason. I couldn't be more proud of them."
Katy Unger and Caitlyn Lovett each had three hits and three RBIs.
Alli Willett and Savannah Anderson each had two hits, with Willett gaining three RBIs and Anderson having one. Willett also scored three runs, while Anderson scored two.
With one hit apiece for MHS were Valerie Caldwell, McKenzie Anderson and Kelcey Smith. Smith also scored two runs and had three RBIs. Caldwell also had three RBIs. McKenzie Anderson also had an RBI.
Sydney Barton scored one run and had one RBI.
After the first inning, it was LC (10-13) who was in front of the visiting Lady Tigers by a 5-2 score, and at the competition of the second inning, LC still led by a single run at 5-4.
MHS rallied for a third consecutive two-run inning to take a 6-5 advantage in the top of the third.
Everything was all tied in the bottom of the third as the Lady Mustangs added another run for a 6-6 score.
The two teams weren't done scoring yet.
The inning that pulled the game away for the Lady Tigers (of the South Central Ohio League) came in the top of the fourth, with MHS putting together an eight-run inning, sending 13 batters to the plate.[[In-content Ad]]
In the MHS eight-run fourth, the 1-8 hitters in the lineup all scored a run.
Lynchburg-Clay head coach Spring Roberts kept it simple in her post-game comments:
"Errors don't wins games," she said. "This season, the girls improved, and next year, I think they will continue that improvement. I know everyone will work hard in the offseason to prepare for next year."
LC still had three runs left to score, with two in their half of the fourth, and their final run of the season coming in the sixth inning.
MHS scored three runs in the sixth and completed their scoring with three final runs in the seventh.
For the Lady Mustangs, they totaled seven hits.
Madysyn Creighton was 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs.
Megan Pointer, Hannah Binkley, Hayley McConnaughey, Chelsi Hacker and Brittany Allen each had one hit.
Hacker and Allen each had a home run, with Hacker hitting one in the first inning and Allen in the fourth.
The winning pitcher was Willett, pitching all seven innings. She allowed nine runs (three earned) on seven hits and four walks. She struck out two.
"Alli did an exceptional job," Bolender said. "She got into some jams, but she bore down and got outs. The defense made plays behind her."
The loss was charged to Binkley.
McClain's sectional final game is scheduled for Friday at Valley High School.
"It will be a challenge," Bolender said. "But what do we have to lose? We need to just let it all out and play like we did (Tuesday). If we play like we did (Tuesday), I'll take my chances with them against anyone.
"But, we'll have to play well. Our high school graduation is set for Friday, so we have a bit of a scheduling conflict we have to get fixed with the SE District."
McClain entered their game against the host Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs with just two wins in the regular season.
Following their 20-9 victory in the Division III SE District Sectional Semifinal against the Lady Mustangs, MHS proved that old saying correct.
MHS (3-14) finished with 17 total hits, with Sarah Thompson leading the way at 4-for-5 with four runs and one RBI.
"I told the kids after the game this is the group I have been looking for all season," MHS head coach Ed Boledner said. "We hit 1-9 today, and the energy level we've wanted was there.
"Before the game, we talked about having the attitude the regular-season record meant nothing, and we are 0-0 now in the postseason. I couldn't be more proud of them."
Katy Unger and Caitlyn Lovett each had three hits and three RBIs.
Alli Willett and Savannah Anderson each had two hits, with Willett gaining three RBIs and Anderson having one. Willett also scored three runs, while Anderson scored two.
With one hit apiece for MHS were Valerie Caldwell, McKenzie Anderson and Kelcey Smith. Smith also scored two runs and had three RBIs. Caldwell also had three RBIs. McKenzie Anderson also had an RBI.
Sydney Barton scored one run and had one RBI.
After the first inning, it was LC (10-13) who was in front of the visiting Lady Tigers by a 5-2 score, and at the competition of the second inning, LC still led by a single run at 5-4.
MHS rallied for a third consecutive two-run inning to take a 6-5 advantage in the top of the third.
Everything was all tied in the bottom of the third as the Lady Mustangs added another run for a 6-6 score.
The two teams weren't done scoring yet.
The inning that pulled the game away for the Lady Tigers (of the South Central Ohio League) came in the top of the fourth, with MHS putting together an eight-run inning, sending 13 batters to the plate.[[In-content Ad]]
In the MHS eight-run fourth, the 1-8 hitters in the lineup all scored a run.
Lynchburg-Clay head coach Spring Roberts kept it simple in her post-game comments:
"Errors don't wins games," she said. "This season, the girls improved, and next year, I think they will continue that improvement. I know everyone will work hard in the offseason to prepare for next year."
LC still had three runs left to score, with two in their half of the fourth, and their final run of the season coming in the sixth inning.
MHS scored three runs in the sixth and completed their scoring with three final runs in the seventh.
For the Lady Mustangs, they totaled seven hits.
Madysyn Creighton was 2-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs.
Megan Pointer, Hannah Binkley, Hayley McConnaughey, Chelsi Hacker and Brittany Allen each had one hit.
Hacker and Allen each had a home run, with Hacker hitting one in the first inning and Allen in the fourth.
The winning pitcher was Willett, pitching all seven innings. She allowed nine runs (three earned) on seven hits and four walks. She struck out two.
"Alli did an exceptional job," Bolender said. "She got into some jams, but she bore down and got outs. The defense made plays behind her."
The loss was charged to Binkley.
McClain's sectional final game is scheduled for Friday at Valley High School.
"It will be a challenge," Bolender said. "But what do we have to lose? We need to just let it all out and play like we did (Tuesday). If we play like we did (Tuesday), I'll take my chances with them against anyone.
"But, we'll have to play well. Our high school graduation is set for Friday, so we have a bit of a scheduling conflict we have to get fixed with the SE District."