Brock Netter, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
WHEELERSBURG — Even when their bats aren’t swinging in the normal powerful fashion they’re used to, the Wheelersburg Pirates always find a way to get the job done.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Despite collecting just five hits on the evening, the Pirates (16-0, 11-0 SOC II) were opportunistic with their chances, executed perfectly and played solid defense to earn a 5-1 victory over rival West in conference action on Thursday.
“We had some good at-bats and put the ball in play,” Wheelersburg coach Teresa Ruby said. “We talk all the time about making the other team execute to get us out. West is a really good team and they always play us tough, which was no different tonight.”
Andi Jo Howard, in another normal start for her, threw a gem as only she could.
Picking up the win, she threw six innings while allowing just three hits and struck out three batters.
Not to be overshadowed though, West’s Sydney McDermott was just as stellar in the circle, going six innings and allowing just five hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters.
“West is a great hitting team, but I just focused on my spots and knowing my team had my back,” Howard said. “I’m really proud of my defense. They made so many wonderful plays.”
“Sydney is such a good pitcher, and brings it with her speed. But she has a lot of different pitches with speed, spin and movement,” Ruby said of McDermott. “You really have to dial in, but also match what she’s thinking and anticipate what pitch she’s about to throw. It comes down to staying aggressive in the box and attacking.”
After a leadoff single to open the game from Emma Sayre, Wheelersburg committed a fielding error that led to her scoring to put West ahead 1-0.
The Pirates answered in the bottom half of the inning when Howard bunted into a fielder’s choice that scored Ava Estep, tying the game at 1-1.
Howard stepped back up to the plate in the bottom of the third with two runners on, and smoked a two-run single to left field, putting the Pirates ahead 3-1.
“You always want to play ahead in big games like this, and that gives you the chance to take some risks that you might not usually take,” Ruby said. “[Howard] struggled at the plate against South Webster, so it was great to see her come back and put together some really good at-bats, including that timely hit to put us ahead.”
After that two-run single, Howard and McDermott went back to mowing their opponent’s lineup down in orderly fashion, hanging zero after zero.
With a three-spot on the board appearing to be enough to win the game, the Pirates weren’t completely comfortable and look to add insurance in the sixth. They got a helping hand in doing so as West committed a fielding error, which led to two runs crossing the plate for a 5-1 advantage.
The Senators (16-2, 8-1 SOC II) attempted to make a comeback and managed to get a pair of runners on base in the seventh. However, the next batter popped out to Catie Boggs at her shortstop position to seal a Pirate win.
Estep finished the game 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored for Wheelersburg, while Howard, in addition to her pitching, was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Wheelersburg is back in action on Monday, hosting Eastern, while West travels to Oak Hill. Then, on Wednesday, the two will meet again.
“We can probably hit the ball a little harder and a little more solid, not as many pop-ups,” Howard said after Thursday’s win. “Sydney is a great pitcher. We give credit to her, too. We’ve just been focusing since day one. Since state last year, we’ve been working at it. We’re just really good in high-pressure situations.”
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