McClain tops Fairfield in Highland County battle

LEESBURG — The undefeated South Central Ohio League champion McClain Greenfield Lady Tigers defeated the Southern Hills League Division II champion Fairfield, 2-1 Thursday at FHS.

The two teams did not disappoint as the score was kept so close by the pitching of Cierra Landrum of MHS and Arica Melson of FHS, as they engaged in a pitchers' duel. It was Melson's first varsity start for the Lady Lions.

The two pitchers’ stats were almost identical, with Melson allowing six hits and Landrum five hits, as both pitchers walked only one batter. Each pitcher also struck out eight batters.

Though it was a pitchers' duel … the game was decided by three solo home runs, as McClain’s Shania Massie hit two home runs, and Fairfield’s Shelby Smithson hit a home run.

Melson struck out the lead-off hitter for McClain (19-3, 12-0 SCOL), but then Massie hit a home run over the left field fence on a 2-2 change-up to give McClain an early 1-0 lead, at that point her eighth of the season.

Jenna Perie followed with a double down the left field line, but Melson struck out the next two Lady Tiger batters to end the inning.

In the FHS (16-9, 12-1 SHL) first inning, with two outs and no one on base, Smithson hit a line shot down the left field line for a double but was left stranded on the bases.

MHS came back to the plate and Brittany Mullikin was safe on an error to lead off the second inning for the Lady Tigers. Sasha Lawwell had a sacrifice bunt to move Mullikin to second base, but Melson retired the next two batters to end the threat.

Massie hit her ninth home run of the season, another solo home run, over the centerfield fence to give the visiting Lady Tigers a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. MHS threatened to score again in the top of the fourth inning, but again, Melson ended the threat.

Smithson got the Lady Lions on the score board in the bottom of the fourth inning with a home run over the centerfield fence.

The Lady Tigers put runners in scoring position in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, but Melson and the Lady Lion defense made the plays on defense to keep MHS from adding to their lead.

FHS also put runners in scoring position in the fifth through seventh innings, but Landrum and the MHS defense kept them from tying the score.

Leading hitters for the Lady Lions included: Smithson (2-for-3, double, home run, one run, one RBI); Halie Chain (2-for-3); and Kaitlin Evans (1-for-3).

Leading hitters for the Lady Tigers included: Massie (2-for-4, two home runs, two runs, two RBIs); Kate Crabtree (2-for-3); Perie (1-for-3, double); and Katie Unger (1- for-3).

Landrum (19-3) picked up the win for McClain. She pitched seven innings, allowing one run (one earned) on five hits and one walk, along with eight strikeouts.

Melson (0-2) suffered the loss for the Lady Lions. She pitched seven innings, allowing two runs (two earned) on six hits, and one walk, while striking out eight.

No. 3 seeded Fairfield will host the South Webster Lady Jeeps on Saturday in a Division IV SE District sectional final at 1:30 p.m.

No. 6 seeded South Webster defeated Glenwood New Boston, the No. 11 seed earlier this week, 16-0.

MHS will host the Washington Lady Blue Lions on Saturday in a Division II SE District Sectional final at 11 a.m. in Greenfield at Mitchell Park. Earlier this season, MHS defeated Washington twice.

BOX SCORE
MHS 101 000 0 — 2 6 2
FHS 000 100 0 — 1 5 3