Marysville’s Lexi Williams fouls off a pitch against Westerville Central Monday evening.. The Lady Monarchs fell, 14-4, during the Division I district semifinals.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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When tournament action moves to the district level, a ball club generally needs to bring its “A” game to the table.
The Lady Monarchs of Marysville, however, graded out much lower than that Monday evening when they fell to Westerville Central, 14-4, in the Division I district softball semifinals.
MHS went into the game with a lofty No. 1 seed, while the Warhawks were rated at No. 19.
When all of the dust settled a little after 9 p.m., there was no doubt which team had surpassed its ranking.
“Westerville Central played its best game and we didn’t,” said Marysville co-head coach Chris Shirer. “That’s the bottom line and we just got beat.”
The Lady Monarchs (who finished the season with a 22-5 record) did not have their best pitching performance of the season.
Central ripped MHS hurlers Airyanna Maurer and Izzy Shroyer for 12 hits.
Marysville’s defense also left much to be desired as five errors – three in one inning – went on the board.
“We made some bad errors,” said Shirer.
The Warhawks plated the game’s opening run during the visitors’ portion of the initial inning at Olentangy High School.
That run was unearned against Maurer as a fielding miscue entered into the equation.
Lead-off batter Kylie Collins went all the way to second base on the fielding miscue. She advanced on a fielder’s choice and scored on Cammy Compson’s double.
Maurer escaped further trouble with infield plays that ended the inning.
MHS tied the game with a run during its first at-bat.
Emily Daniel drew a lead-off walk, took second on a fielder’s choice and motored to third on a passed ball
She scored on Shroyer’s two-out base hit.
Marysville went on top 2-1 in the second.
With one down, Leah Potter was issued a free pass.
Maurer was safe on a fielder’s choice and was lifted for courtesy runner Sydney Wade.
Wade went to second on a wild pitch and scored when Jewely Livingston stroked a single.
The Lady Monarchs’ lead did not last for long as the Warhawks crossed the plate twice in the third.
Hannah Hunt singled and Collins was hit by a pitch.
Emily O’Dee was safe on a fielder’s choice and a double by Compson brought in both runs.
MHS tied the game at 3-3 during the home half of the third.
Chris Ortman singled and Shroyer was safe on a fielder’s choice/error.
Ashley Dunn bounced out into a double play, but in the process, plated the tying run.
Warhawk pitcher Sydney Steppe then coaxed a bouncing ball to the infield to end the inning.
The wheels really began to fall off for the Lady Monarchs as the Warhawks plated five runs over the fourth and fifth innings.
Maurer was charged with each run as she was lifted from the circle in favor of Shroyer.
A couple of Central’s hits during that time fell in safely in front of MHS outfielders.
Steppe retired the Lady Monarchs in order during that stretch as Central’s lead grew to 8-3.
Marysville’s final run came in the bottom of the sixth.
Shroyer led off and was hit by a pitch.
Courtesy runner Kaitlyn Lowry went to second and third on back-to-back fielder’s choice plays.
Potter then singled in MHS’ final run of the season.
The Warhawks took advantage of three Monarch fielding miscues during the seventh frame.
A total of three runs scored as a result of those errors.
Compson later followed with a three-run homer off Shroyer that drove the final nail in Marysville’s coffin.
Shroyer left the circle after the dinger that pushed the Hawks out to their 14-4 spread.
She was replaced by Deidre Blankenship, who got the final out with a bouncing ball to the infield.
Marysville stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh facing a very difficult task.
With one down, Daniel singled and went to third on Moffett’s double.
Daniel attempted to score after a wild pitch, but was called out at the plate.
A ground ball followed that ended the game.
“We had a great season,” said Shirer, “and our seniors (Maurer and Ortman) left a great legacy.
“They were part of two OCC championship teams and a regional runner-up team.
“Our young players will be back,” he said.
WC 102 320 6-14 12 1
MHS 111 001 0-4 6 5
WP-Steppe
LP-Maurer