Fairbanks’ Maddi Sines delivers a pitch to a Nubian batter during the top of the third inning. The sophomore pitcher claimed a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts during the team’s 21-0 victory against Columbus Africentric.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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Fairbanks is eyeing the hopes of a district final appearance following its 21-0 softball triumph against Columbus Africentric.
The first-seeded Lady Panthers (18-2-1) saw a lot of success against the visiting Nubians (No. 20) in the sectional final of the Division III postseason tournament.
With a strong performance at the plate, the home squad wasted no time in racking up runs, including three homers.
“I just keep telling them one game at a time,” Fairbanks head coach Amy Sines said. “We just have to stay focused, play the game and not look ahead.
“They just need to keep playing like they have been all year.”
Pitcher Maddi Sines claimed a no-hitter. She fanned 12 and walked one.
Most of Fairbanks’ runs came in the bottom of the first as it put together a 12-0 lead.
Hailey Dee started the offense surge with a triple.
A wild pitch followed as she raced home for the first score.
Moments later, Macy Kise recorded an RBI, allowing Anna Dulle to cross the plate.
With two runners on base, Sines added another pair of RBIs.
Miah Cheney raced home moments later to put the lead at 5-0 with no outs.
With bases loaded, a hit by Kyah Hendren drove in Elizabeth Gregory for a 6-0 spread.
Dee then delivered a grand slam, pushing FHS out to a 10-0 lead.
Jenna Dee followed with a two-run homer moments later to jump the lead to 12-0.
“One of the things I told them today was focus on swinging at a good pitch,” coach Sines said. “We had a lot of good base hits and good base hits win ball games.”
Fairbanks was called out after three runners left base early in order to end the inning.
Sines maintained dominance inside the circle by fanning three straight Nubian batters.
Fairbanks climbed to a 16-0 lead in the bottom of the second on RBIs from Hailey Dee (two), Kise and Gregory.
Tiffini Harper blasted a two-run dinger in the third.
Abby Russell and Abby Skedell also drove in runs.
Hailey Dee notched one more RBI in the bottom of the fourth inning, putting the margin at 21-0.
Africentric could not answer and the game ended with the run rule after the top of the fifth inning.
Hailey Dee had four hits and drove in seven runs.
Kise and Harper each tallied a trio of hits.
The Lady Panthers will return to tournament action Monday when they host No. 12 Marion Pleasant at 5 p.m.
The Spartans will arrive in Milford Center on the heels of a 3-1 win against seventh-seeded Columbus Bishop Ready.
While winning is always the main goal, Fairbanks has its sights set on higher aspirations this postseason. With that comes continued preparation for the road ahead, according to coach Sines.
“We just need to stay focused on defense,” she said. “Monday will be a different game for us.
“I hope we are playing next weekend for the district championship and I think we have a chance,” the coach said. “Obviously, our goal is to win the district championship and move on, for sure.”
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