Not off the Press: Lady Lions continue to impress
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
In the last week or so, I've had the opportunity to cover the Fairfield Lady Lions softball team in games against Manchester, Western Latham, Peebles and Belpre. In three of those games, FHS won a sectional, league and district title. (By the way, the Highland County Press was the only news media to cover any of those events.)
With all of those wins and championships being won, how can someone not be impressed with the level of play the Lady Lions have shown in not only those four games, but also their district semifinal win against Eastern Meigs?
I haven't even mentioned the Lady Lions have allowed zero runs combined in those five games, which equals to 31 consecutive scoreless innings. I haven't mentioned the same pitcher and defense has been a part of those 31 scoreless innings, and I haven't mentioned the Lady Lions have outscored their opponents 38-0 in the five-game span.
This Thursday, May 26, the tournament run of the Lady Lions will resume when they travel to Pickerington to take on Newark Catholic at Pickerington High School at 5 p.m.
Should be a fun game for the fact both teams are ranked in the state (FHS in No. 4 and Newark Catholic is No. 10), both have quality pitchers who are known for their strikeouts, and both have had to play in tough district final games to reach the regional tournament.
Here's to hoping the Lady Lions continue to impress as they are one of just 16 softball teams remaining in Division IV.
• This past week
One game I can't get out of my mind is the Fairfield baseball district semifinal loss against South Webster. No team (except for the Chicago Cubs) should have to lose a game in that fashion.
That is baseball, and sometimes it happens, but after sitting at the VA Memorial Stadium for over five hours, in the rain and cold, it was just a bad way for a tournament game to end. FHS had the lead in the seventh inning with two outs, but we know the story after that, and the Lions' season was over.
Still, it was a good season, new players showed the potential for next season, and the seniors wrapped up their high school careers with a trip to the district tournament. That's still an accomplishment to be proud of.
• 10 thoughts on high school sports
1. Seeing teams improving this time of the season shows their dedication and hard work during the offseason and practices makes all the time spent working on their craft worth it.
2. This will be the first time I've had the opportunity to cover a regional tournament softball game.
3. Congrats to all the track & field athletes who won district championships this past weekend.
4. Hard to believe the spring season is almost over. Legion baseball will be here before we know it.
5. Highland County had three successful sports seasons this school year.
6. I liked the Minford softball complex. Nice facility.
7. The division changes in football for some SCOL schools could be a help to those programs. Anyone else have thoughts on the changes?
8. The squeeze bunt by Kylie Bates, which allowed Courtney Huff to score from third on Saturday, is the true definition of small ball. Did I mention it took place in the seventh inning?
9. It was nice to watch games the past couple days without rain in the forecast. Don't know what to expect weather-wise this coming week.
10. If you haven't, read the SCOL History columns by Bob Patton.
• Stat of the Week
In three tournament games, the Fairfield Lady Lions have 34 hits.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
Fairfield softball has won 15 Southern Hills League titles, two in the past three seasons.
• (A third and final) Stat of the Week
The Lady Lions have zero errors in three postseason games.
• Quote of the Week
"This is a team. We have people who play roles, we have players who work hard in practice that help us. All of that, and no one ever complains … they never complain. The intensity we have with our practices, no one complains. Our substitutes, the courtesy runners, they all do what is asked. This is a fantastic group of young ladies who are determined and have a lot of confidence right now." — Fairfield softball head coach Matthew Zimmerman following the FHS district final win.
• Non-high school sports Thought of the Week
Last Friday, one of my childhood heroes, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, died in a car accident at the age of 58. Though he hasn't been on pro wrestling for years, I remember when I was a little kid, watching him on TV and having his action figures. (Ah, those were the days.)
When I was 5 years old, I thought it was cool he was the "king" of wrestling, and he might have had the best catchphrase of all time … OH YEAH!
Before I forget, my favorite Macho Man gimmick was before he wore cowboy hats and bright outfits. I like the Macho Man with the trunks with stars in the front, a bandana and the shades. Yes, pro wrestling was a big part of my childhood, and I'm going to miss the Macho Man.
• One final item of business
In thinking back to all the places I've had to opportunity to cover high school and professional sports, this has been a fun past 12 months of covering athletics.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]
With all of those wins and championships being won, how can someone not be impressed with the level of play the Lady Lions have shown in not only those four games, but also their district semifinal win against Eastern Meigs?
I haven't even mentioned the Lady Lions have allowed zero runs combined in those five games, which equals to 31 consecutive scoreless innings. I haven't mentioned the same pitcher and defense has been a part of those 31 scoreless innings, and I haven't mentioned the Lady Lions have outscored their opponents 38-0 in the five-game span.
This Thursday, May 26, the tournament run of the Lady Lions will resume when they travel to Pickerington to take on Newark Catholic at Pickerington High School at 5 p.m.
Should be a fun game for the fact both teams are ranked in the state (FHS in No. 4 and Newark Catholic is No. 10), both have quality pitchers who are known for their strikeouts, and both have had to play in tough district final games to reach the regional tournament.
Here's to hoping the Lady Lions continue to impress as they are one of just 16 softball teams remaining in Division IV.
• This past week
One game I can't get out of my mind is the Fairfield baseball district semifinal loss against South Webster. No team (except for the Chicago Cubs) should have to lose a game in that fashion.
That is baseball, and sometimes it happens, but after sitting at the VA Memorial Stadium for over five hours, in the rain and cold, it was just a bad way for a tournament game to end. FHS had the lead in the seventh inning with two outs, but we know the story after that, and the Lions' season was over.
Still, it was a good season, new players showed the potential for next season, and the seniors wrapped up their high school careers with a trip to the district tournament. That's still an accomplishment to be proud of.
• 10 thoughts on high school sports
1. Seeing teams improving this time of the season shows their dedication and hard work during the offseason and practices makes all the time spent working on their craft worth it.
2. This will be the first time I've had the opportunity to cover a regional tournament softball game.
3. Congrats to all the track & field athletes who won district championships this past weekend.
4. Hard to believe the spring season is almost over. Legion baseball will be here before we know it.
5. Highland County had three successful sports seasons this school year.
6. I liked the Minford softball complex. Nice facility.
7. The division changes in football for some SCOL schools could be a help to those programs. Anyone else have thoughts on the changes?
8. The squeeze bunt by Kylie Bates, which allowed Courtney Huff to score from third on Saturday, is the true definition of small ball. Did I mention it took place in the seventh inning?
9. It was nice to watch games the past couple days without rain in the forecast. Don't know what to expect weather-wise this coming week.
10. If you haven't, read the SCOL History columns by Bob Patton.
• Stat of the Week
In three tournament games, the Fairfield Lady Lions have 34 hits.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
Fairfield softball has won 15 Southern Hills League titles, two in the past three seasons.
• (A third and final) Stat of the Week
The Lady Lions have zero errors in three postseason games.
• Quote of the Week
"This is a team. We have people who play roles, we have players who work hard in practice that help us. All of that, and no one ever complains … they never complain. The intensity we have with our practices, no one complains. Our substitutes, the courtesy runners, they all do what is asked. This is a fantastic group of young ladies who are determined and have a lot of confidence right now." — Fairfield softball head coach Matthew Zimmerman following the FHS district final win.
• Non-high school sports Thought of the Week
Last Friday, one of my childhood heroes, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, died in a car accident at the age of 58. Though he hasn't been on pro wrestling for years, I remember when I was a little kid, watching him on TV and having his action figures. (Ah, those were the days.)
When I was 5 years old, I thought it was cool he was the "king" of wrestling, and he might have had the best catchphrase of all time … OH YEAH!
Before I forget, my favorite Macho Man gimmick was before he wore cowboy hats and bright outfits. I like the Macho Man with the trunks with stars in the front, a bandana and the shades. Yes, pro wrestling was a big part of my childhood, and I'm going to miss the Macho Man.
• One final item of business
In thinking back to all the places I've had to opportunity to cover high school and professional sports, this has been a fun past 12 months of covering athletics.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]