April 4, 2024 – Dublin Scioto High School: In a dominating display of softball, Scioto trounced the Westland Cougars 17-2 on their home turf, largely due to a spectacular nine-run explosion in the opening inning.
Lexie Richie ignited the offense early with a single that brought one run home, followed by Maria Wasko’s double and a series of walks and errors that widened the gap. Westland managed to sneak in a run early with a daring steal of home, but that barely dented the Irish’s lead.
Scioto piled on more pressure in the second inning, with Hahni Miller’s double and successive hits from Sophia Jackson and Gina Wasko each bringing in runs, showcasing Dublin’s relentless attack. The scoring continued into the third, courtesy of Gigi Rodriguez’s timely single, underscoring the team’s offensive depth.
On the mound, Lexie Richie delivered a standout performance to clinch the win for Scioto, allowing just one hit and two runs across three innings, while striking out eight.
In contrast, Westland’s A. Mendoza struggled against the Irish’s offensive firepower, yielding 16 runs over three innings. Jackson provided solid relief for Dublin, keeping Westland at bay with five strikeouts in two scoreless innings.
Richie wasn’t just a star pitcher; she also shone with the bat, driving in three runs to lead the Irish’s offensive showcase. The team showed remarkable discipline at the plate, drawing eight walks, with Faith Kinzer’s base-stealing prowess on full display.
Westland’s T. Russell showed some resistance, leading her team with a hit and two stolen bases, but it wasn’t enough to challenge the Irish’s dominance.
Looking ahead, Scioto sets their sights on their next challenge, hosting Thomas Worthington in a doubleheader on Saturday.
Go Irish!
