The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Elyria displays some dazzling defense
CLYDE>> Elyria has always prided itself on playing sound defense. It was on full display in the Pioneers’ 3-0 Division I regional championship win over Toledo Whitmer May 27 at Clyde High School.
Freshman pitcher Isabella St. Peter got into a few jams throughout the game, but Elyria’s defense made every play to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard. From crazy shifts to having five infielders to dynamic throws and all-out effort, the Pioneers were not going to let anything drop, get past them or get a run.
“I think (defense) has always been our strong point,” Elyria coach Ken Fenik said. “Coach Fada and I love defense. We work them hard, (but) we don’t hit shots right at them. If you watch pre-game, they’re diving for stuff and laying out before the game.
“You’ve got to work them hard so they are ready for these types of games.”
Though St. Peter has struggled with her control at times this season, the defense was always there to back her up. But like any competitor, St. Peter tried to get out of jams herself rather than let her team help her.
When the postseason began, St. Peter and the defense got into sync with each other with the results speaking for themselves.
“It’s taken a while to get her (St. Peter) to trust in
her defense,” Fenik said. “In the last four games, she has relied on them.”
In the third inning, junior center fielder Macy Taylor provided the biggest defensive play of the game as she threw out Kaylee Keesee at the plate to end the inning. In the district final game against Amherst, Taylor threw out a pair of runners at the plate.
“It’s just become natural now,” Taylor said. “It’s just another throw. We needed momentum and I knew we needed a big play. It got put in my hands and I took it.
“I knew where I was throwing it. Catcher Maycee Godbolt (who applied the tag) deserves just as
much credit as I do.”
Taylor got another chance to show off her arm strength, throwing out Brooklynn Esser at second to end the game. Leading 1-0 in the top of the sixth, freshman Riley Zana snagged a line drive with a runner on third in the top of the sixth to prevent the Panthers from tying the game.
Being able to play with confidence regardless of the situation comes down to one simple thing.
“It all comes with trust,” Taylor said. “If you trust each other on the field; you’ll play great. We have confidence because we trust each other.”
After seeing the defense work its magic, St. Peter took to the circle with a renewed look. She hit her spots and wasn’t fazed when Whitmer had runners on base.
“It was important (Taylor’s throw-out) because I knew my defense had my back,” St. Peter said. “(After that) I just tried to put my pitch where it was supposed to go and let my defense field it.”
With trust and confidence in each other along with a stingy defense, Elyria is making its 12th trip to state.
“We’ll never forget this moment,” Taylor said. “It’s just a great feeling.”