Softball’s postseason has begun for local teams with Logan Elm advancing 12-1 in five innings while Amanda-Clearcreek, Circleville and Westfall have had their seasons come to an end.
Southeast. District Division IV
No. 2 Logan Elm 12, No. 10 Fairfield Union 1 (5 innings)
CIRCLEVILLE — Fairfield Union got an early lead, but Logan Elm picked up its offense to run-rule the Falcones 12-1 in a Southeast District tournament opener Thursday night.
After Ella Harmon had a solo home run in the top of the first, the Falcons managed only two more base runners.
The Braves took the lead in the second when Abby Pontius doubled in Lucy Caplinger and then a groundout from Peyton Richendollar allowed Ryleigh Wolfe to score.
A walk and two singles loaded the bases for the Braves in the third. Lucy Caplinger doubled to drive in two and Vannah Binkley singled to drive in another. After a walk, Pontius had a sacrifice fly to bring in another run and Richendollar singled to bring in one more for a 7-1 lead.
The Braves loaded the bases again in the fourth – this time with one out – when Wolfe reached on an error by the left fielder that allowed two more runs to score. Pontius then reached on an error that allowed another run to score. Rchendollar hit a line drive single to bring in a run and Hannah Gooley doubled to drive in another for a 12-1 lead.
Sadie Binkley then struck out the first two FU batters in the fifth and the third out came on a fly ball to center to end the game.
Pontius and Richendollar each had three RBI for the Braves and Caplinger had two.
Binkley gave up three hits with the one earned run and struck out seven with no walks.
The Braves (18-8) head to Logan Monday to take on No. 6 Gallia Academy (13-3) in a district semifinal at 5 p.m.
Southeast District Division IV
No. 6 Gallia Academy 7, No. 3 Circleville 5
CIRCLEVIlLLE — Gallia Academy scored in five innings to advance past Circleville 7-5 Thursday.
Circleville (15-12) scored first with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the first inning, before GA responded in the second with an RBI triple and took the lead on an error.
The Angels scored on an error in the third and used a double, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly to add a run in the fourth.
A two-out, two-run double in the fifth plated two more for GA to make it a 6-1 game.
Circleville came out in the bottom of the fifth with singles from Kaylee West and Rylee Starner. A sacrifice bunt from Audrey Cowdery and a single from Jenna Boring brought in two runs to close the gap to 6-3.
The Tigers made it 6-4 in the sixth on a solo home run from Claire Davis.
The Angels added another run in the seventh on an RBI single.
In its final at-bat, Cowdery reached on a one-out single and Boring followed with a single of her own that the centerfielder misplayed allowing Cowdery to score. But a foul pop up and a ground out brought the Tigers’ season to a close.
Circleville out-hit Gallia Academy 12-6 but seven errors proved costly.
Gallia (13-13) advances to play No. 2 Logan Elm (18-8) Monday in Logan in a district semifinal.
Central District Division V
No. 2 Johnstown 18, No. 11 Amanda-Clearcreek 0 (5 innings)
JOHNSTOWN — Johnstown pounded out 13 hits, including five for extra bases, to advance past Amanda-Clearcreek 18-0 in five innings.
AC struggled for baserunners early as the Aces sent the minimum nine batters to the plate through the first three innings.
Jordan Hines, Ady Gilbert and Makenna Singleton each managed hits in the later innings but the Aces (6-16) were unable to push a runner across.
(Wednesday)
Southeast District Division V
No. 12. Northwest 9, No. 13 Westfall 0
McDERMOTT — A decisive seven-run third inning propelled Northwest past visiting Westfall 9-0 in the opening round of the Division V softball tournament.
The Mohawks plated two in the second and an inning-opening triple got the ball rolling in the third. Four more hits and four walks helped to make it a 9-0 lead after three.
Westfall loaded the bases to start the sixth, but a strikeout and a double play brought the threat to an end.
Annika Carpenter threw all seven innings for Northwest to get the shutout. She struck out seven, allowed one walk and six hits.
Northwest now will face No. 1 seed Wheelersburg Monday at Ohio University.