Greenville softball loses in remaining inning in State semifinal

By Drew Terhall

DailyAdvocate.com

AKRON — The Woman Wave softball workforce simply did all the pieces they might, however simply couldn’t get the win. Within the Division II State semifinal recreation in Akron at Firestone Stadium, Greenville softball misplaced 6-5 to Tallmadge. The Woman Blue Devils gained the sport on a walk-off single by junior Ashlyn Severns.

Head coach Jerrod Newland stated he’s happy with the youngsters for leaving all of it on the sphere. It was simply a type of video games the place they executed, however simply didn’t get the win.

“We did all the pieces however win. I can’t say something. We didn’t drop the ball, fumble the ball or do something. We scored 5 runs and we misplaced 6-5 right here in Akron,” Newland stated.

Greenville grabbed an early lead within the prime of the primary inning on a sacrifice flyout by Zoey Burns to make it 1-0. Senior Skylar Fletcher led the inning with a double.

Then within the prime of the third, Burns hit a two-run house run to go up 3-0. After a number of errors, junior Addie Burke drove in two runs on a sacrifice flyout to go up 5-0.

Tallmadge responded with two runs within the backside of the third. Senior Marley Queen drove in a run and sophomore Katie Huth additionally drove in a run.

Momentum then shifted into the Woman Blue Devils’ favor. Within the fifth, Tallmadge threw just a few pitches to get the three Greenville batters out. From there, they scored two runs. Senior Jocelyn Caffelle had a RBI and Queen drove in one other run.

The Woman Wave did seize again some momentum when Fletcher was capable of get the final out of the inning by getting the runner out at first from proper subject.

However Tallmadge grabbed it proper again within the prime of the sixth. Burke led off the inning with a double and ultimately made her strategy to third base. After freshman Kendall Cromwell put it on the bottom and made it to first on an error, Tallmadge collected the ball and bought Burke out at house plate.

Within the backside of the sixth with two outs, junior Sydney Becks tied the sport at 5-5.

Greenville was unable to get the bats going within the seventh and Tallmadge entered the underside of the seventh with an opportunity to win the sport.

After bases have been loaded with one out, Severns delivered the game-winning hit to ship the Woman Blue Devils to the State Championship recreation.

Newland stated it was a recreation the place if one other play was made or if the ball simply hit a unique spot it will have been a unique recreation. Greenville didn’t make any defensive errors to permit Tallmadge again into the sport. The Woman Blue Devils simply clawed their manner again in themselves.

Burns pitched all seven innings and had 4 strikeouts. For Tallmadge, junior Riley Jackson pitched all seven innings and had six strikeouts.

For Fletcher and her fellow seniors, it was their final recreation for Greenville. After not having a freshmen yr because of the pandemic, Fletcher stated it was a blessing to have the ability to make it to Akron.

“We’re simply blessed to be right here truthfully. That is what we regarded ahead to doing for yearly,” Fletcher stated.

The Woman Wave fought in entrance of all of the followers that traveled from Greenville. Even with Tallmadge being 10 miles away, it was a minimum of a 50/50 break up within the stands.

Newland stated the expectation is to win a state title, nevertheless it was nonetheless a very good recreation from his workforce and a very good recreation for the group.

“We created a monster. You try this on a regular basis your self. It’s simply enjoyable for the group. We performed 33 video games and it was a very good recreation,” Newland stated.

Greenville ends the 2023 season with a 28-5 document and one other MVL, District and Regional title.

Contact Each day Advocate sports activities editor Drew Terhall at [email protected]