Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — Kendall Taylor has three bright years ahead at Coal Grove. But she’s already made a legendary name for herself.
The freshman delivered the biggest moment, unarguably, in program history as she cracked a double and later scored the lone run of a 1-0 victory over Wellston in Thursday’s Division III district final.
“I had been swinging at high pitches all day, so I was trying my best to lay off of those and stay patient for my pitch to hit,” Taylor said. “She threw me a really good one and I just hit it. Once I got to third, I realized I had to score and I heard Abbie [Deeds] yelling at me, so I ran as fast as I could getting home and it was the best feeling in the world.”
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
The win marks the first district softball championship in school history.
“This is such an insane feeling. If you would have told me that we would accomplish all that we have, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Coal Grove’s Abbie Deeds said. “It’s such a crazy feeling, but it’s really awesome to make school history in the process.”
Deeds and Wellston’s Hannah Potts put forth a pitching battle — one that showcased why both teams made it to a district final in the first place.
The Hornets (17-7) had trouble keeping up with Potts’ fastball as the Western Michigan commit saved her best performance for the biggest stage, striking out 16 hitters during the evening.
But on the opposite side, Deeds was keeping Rocket batters off balance all night. Locating the ball masterfully and mixing in a deadly off-speed pitch at the right time, she ultimately won the pitcher’s duel by striking out 10 batters and allowing just two hits.
“We go as Abbie goes. She’s one of two juniors on the team, and we have just one senior, so we’re not the most experienced team. But she’s been in a lot of tough situations and always finds a way to get the job done,” Coal Grove coach Aaron Rice said. “She holds everything together for us. We know she’ll keep us in every game and we just have to give her enough run support.”
Wellston (22-2) had a chance early in the bottom of the second to put a run up. It had two runners on base with just one out, but Deeds fired back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.
Coal Grove had its chance in the fourth with two runners on, but Potts got the next batter to strikeout to end the threat.
Taylor’s moment to shine came in the fifth.
She ripped a double into right-center field with one out, and then stole third base during the next at-bat. Wellston then committed a throwing error, leading to her crossing the dish for a 1-0 lead.
“We’ve started four freshmen all year and Kendall has been such a special player for us,” Rice said. “She’s one of those rare players who can make adjustments in the middle of an at-bat, and she’s probably the best we have that can do it. She’s the ultimate competitor, but remains very calm in the face of adversity.”
Coal Grove loaded the bases in the sixth, but struck out to end the inning and give Wellston one more chance to equalize.
Kayla Rinehart singled to open the seventh, followed by a walk to put two runners on with no outs. But Deeds, in true fashion, kept a cool head and fired back-to-back strikeouts before getting a pop out to end the game, clinching a historic Sweet 16 berth in the process.
“I knew this was going to be a pitcher’s battle, and I feel that I’m really good about keeping my composure in the circle,” Deeds said. “I’m always taking deep breaths and staying mentally locked in on the game, instead of worrying about the situation. It was my moment, I knew I had it and believed that I could win the game.”
Coal Grove now advances to a Division III regional semifinal at 5 p.m., Wednesday at Ohio University against South Webster, who defeated Ironton to move on.
“We’ve played a tough schedule and it doesn’t matter that we’re a No. 15 seed because we’re playing our best softball when it truly matters,” Rice said. “This is a new feeling for us being at this level, and maybe that’s a good thing since this group just enjoys playing the game and getting better everyday. They’re having fun and that’s what’s great about these girls.”
SPONSORED BY SCHMIDT FAMILY RESTAURANT GROUP
