Gahanna, Lancaster win Division I district softball titles
The Gahanna softball team was in familiar territory Saturday at Pickerington Central as it celebrated its 11th Division I district championship in 14 seasons, but this one had a different ring to it.
It was the first title under first-year coach Matt Bailey, who brought in a philosophy of creating “chaos on the bases” through aggressive base running.
In their 6-0 victory over sixth-seeded Olentangy Liberty, the fourth-seeded Lions had three steals during a three-run third inning and two when adding their final run in the sixth.
“We knew they had a good pitcher and a good catcher, but they started throwing us a lot of changeups so I knew with our speed throughout the year and our stolen bases throughout the year that this was an opportunity,” Bailey said. “Not only did we straight steal, but we had some delay steals and put pressure on them.”
The Lions (28-2) took a 2-0 lead in the first on a double by Sarah Carr that drove in shortstop Kirnan Bailey and pitcher Ella Esterby.
That was more than enough offense for Esterby, who gave up just three hits and retired the last 10 batters she faced.
Gahanna will play Lancaster in a regional semifinal at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Centerburg.
In the third inning, Lilly Campbell hit a two-run home run.
“This means everything because we’ve worked so hard to get here,” Bailey said. “It feels so good to know our work is paying off.”
—Jarrod Ulrey
Lancaster 5, Olentangy Orange 1
Top-seeded Lancaster used a fourrun sixth inning to sprint past 15thseeded Orange at Pickerington Central.
The Golden Gales (24-1) won their second consecutive district title.
“We knew we would have to adjust, play good defense and rely on our pitching until we got some hits and things started to go our way,” Kinniard said. “(Before the bottom of the sixth), I told them that if we were going to win, we had to respond now, and boy did
they respond.
“They weren’t ready to be done. We have good leadership on our team, and our younger players are very involved. They want to keep playing softball.”
Anna Wilming homered in the fourth inning to give Orange a 1-0 lead, and Lancaster’s Annabelle Farmer tied it later in the inningt.
With Wilming in relief of injured pitcher Gauri Naik, Farmer led off the sixth with a single and Reese Poston hit a one-out double to left to put runners at second and third. Ashlin Mowery grounded to second but the throw to the plate was high, allowing both runners to score for a 3-1 lead. Mowery went to third on the throw and scored on a wild pitch, and Jessie Spurling added an RBI single.
Poston went the distance for the Gales, surrendering two hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks.
—Scott Hennen