Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ATHENS — Unlike South Webster’s district championship win, there was no walk-off magic needed on Wednesday.
As soon as the Jeeps (24-3) stepped onto the field, they flexed their muscles before sending themselves to another Elite 8. South Webster showed its level of comfort on a regional semifinal stage, keeping its foot on the gas en route to a 7-2 victory over Coal Grove.
“This was a good solid effort by the girls, and definitely a little less stressful than last week against Ironton,” South Webster coach Andy Messer said, with a laugh. “Our girls have been in a lot of work throughout the season and we’ve played a lot of tough games, but the goal all along was to get back to where we were last season. There’s been a lot of growth and improvement all year long, and I couldn’t be any happier for this team.”
CREDIT: Seth Fain/SOSA
The Jeeps weren’t letting anything stand in their way of getting another crack at winning a regional championship, and they immediately went to work.
After a leadoff single from Lauren Kaltenbach, Skylar Zimmerman ripped an RBI double to center field and later scored via a throwing error to put SW ahead 2-0.
From that point on, the Jeeps continued to add additional run support by the inning.
Following a triple from Jaiden White in the second, she scored on an RBI groundout from Kaltenbach. Then, in the fourth, with a runner on base, Addi Claxon stepped up and delivered a two-run moonshot, pushing the lead to 5-0.
“I knew I was going to get something good on the pitch since it was a 2-0 count,” Claxon said. “I had a triple in my first at-bat so I was feeling confident, and she gave me my pitch exactly where I like it and I sent it.”
That was more than enough run support for White, who was dazzling in the circle and keeping Coal Grove off-balance with the support of her defense.
While the Hornets (17-8) managed to pound out a couple hits, nothing ever materialized from their scoring chances because of how swiftly the Jeeps made the next play.
“There’s a high comfort level playing with these girls behind me. It’s essentially the same team from last year, so we know each other very well,” White said. “In the circle, it comes down to me just taking my time, taking deep breaths, listening to my coaches and feeling the encouragement of my teammates during every at-bat.”
The Jeep added a run in the fourth via an RBI double from Bella Claxon, and another in the fifth on a Coal Grove fielding error to tally their final run of the night.
The Hornets attempted to mount a rally in the seventh and got two runs on the board off an RBI single from Kassidy Travis, alongside an RBI double from Izzy Kitts. But the damage was already done as a strikeout ended the game to extend the Jeeps’ season.
“We put up a run nearly every inning and, offensively, you can’t ask for much more than that,” Messer said. “Some things broke down late, but that happens when you’re playing on a different field. But girls made plays everywhere and I couldn’t have asked for a better game.”
Addi Claxon finished 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple and two RBIs, while Bella Claxon, Zimmerman and Kaltenbach each had two hits and an RBI. White struck out seven batters in her complete game victory.
For Coal Grove, Kitts finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI while Travis was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
South Webster advances to a Division III regional final at 5 p.m. on Friday, back at Ohio University. The Jeeps will play Wheelersburg, who defeated Meadowbrook to move on.
“‘Burg is a great team. We know that and we’ve faced them multiple times over the years. It still comes down to hitting the ball and playing defense,” Addi Claxon said. “They’re going to get good hits and we have to match that as well, using our momentum and teamwork in order to get the win.”
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