Abri Schmutz of Marysville tries to avoid a tag at third base during the game against Westerville Central. Schmutz was out on the play and the Lady Monarchs fell, 5-2. See www.marysvillejt.com for additional photos.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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Coaches often worry about how their team will react immediately after winning an important contest.
It turns out Marysville softball boss Jennifer Segner-Maxwell had every right to do so.
A day after beating Olentangy to secure the outright Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division title, the Lady Monarchs took to the diamond for a non-conference battle against Westerville Central.
It didn’t work out very well for the local ladies as they fell to the Warhawks, 5-2.
“We came out pretty flat after winning a big game the day before,” admitted Segner-Maxwell.
“We know every team we play is going to bring their ‘A’ game,” she said. “We have to do the same thing because nobody is going to roll over for us.”
If the game was a final exam, Marysville would probably have graded out, at best, as a D-plus.
The Warhawks tagged MHS pitchers Tareyn Born and Abby Christian each for seven hits.
The duo combined for seven strikeouts and a pair of walks.
In all fairness, the hurlers didn’t receive a lot of offensive support.
Marysville was limited to eight hits by Central southpaw Addie Ransopher.
MHS stranded nine base runners and left the bases loaded twice.
The Lady Monarchs threatened to score during the home half of the initial inning.
Abri Schmutz beat out a bunt for a base hit.
Haley Winans grounded out and Schmutz was tagged out as she tried to stretch her legs to third base on the play.
With two down, Camryn Harbold was hit by a pitch, Abby Gindlesberger singled and Born had a base hit to juice the sacks.
Ransopher, though, got out of trouble with a fly ball out.
The contest remained scoreless until Westerville Central plated two runs in the top of the third.
Gwen McMenemy reached safely on an MHS fielding miscue and advanced to second.
She raced home on Kiersten Stepp’s single off a pitch from Born, who started in the circle.
Tatem Hubble singled and was followed by a RBI-producing base hit from Kate Yaussy.
Christian was hastily summoned for relief work.
She shut down the Warhawks with a fly ball out and a pair of strikeouts.
The Lady Monarchs couldn’t muster much offense in their portion of the inning.
The Warhawks (17-5) added two runs in the fourth off Christian.
With one out, Lydia Wilkerson singled and McMenemy doubled.
Both scored on Stepp’s base hit.
A single by Hubble and a two-out walk to Lindsay George loaded the bases.
Central, though, left the sacks juiced after a pop-up.
MHS scratched out a run in the bottom of the fifth.
Schmutz raced around the bases for a one-out triple and scored when Winans ripped a base hit.
A fly ball and line drive, though, ended the threat.
Westerville Central tallied its final run in the sixth against Christian.
Yaussy doubled and George singled.
The Warhawks took a 5-1 lead on a single from Casey Ingram.
A two-out free pass once again put the bases full for Central.
A fly ball, though, allowed Christian to wiggle out of further distress.
The Lady Monarchs appeared as though they’d mount a big comeback in the bottom of the sixth.
However, the “LOB (left on base)” virus once again struck.
Born got things started with a base hit.
Christian walked and Avery Henry legged out an infield single to load the bases.
Hannah Pack was safe on a fielder’s choice that kept the sacks full as the Hawks got an out at the plate.
A fielder’s choice off Sienna Hutchinson’s bat brought in what proved to be a consolation run.
Schmutz walked to load the bases.
Ransopher, however, coaxed a fly ball out to end the threat.
Both teams went down pretty easily in the seventh to end the contest.
Harbold singled and stole a base in MHS’ half of the frame.
A strikeout and lineout that resulted in a double play, however, brought the game to a conclusion.
The Lady Monarchs (21-3) will open Division I tournament action today, 5:30 p.m., on their home field against Westerville South.
MHS will take the No. 3 seed into the contest, while South (8-13) is No. 36.
WC 002 201 0-5 14 1
MHS 000 011 0-2 8 2
WP: Ransopher
LP: Born
The Marysville JV softball team downed Westerville Central, 7-2.
Caitlin Rigel pitched a complete game, allowing seven hits and striking out six.
The offense was led by Sydney Calhoon, Jordyn Ledley, and Mia Carder with two hits apiece.
The Jr. Monarchs won the Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division title for the second consecutive year and completed a perfect season with a record of 21-0.